UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  L  BRARY  FAC  LITY 


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THE  LIBRARY 

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THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

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TRIED  FOR  HER  LIFE. 


A  SEQUEL  TO  "CRUEL  AS  THE  GRAVE." 


BY  MRS.  EMMA  D.  E.  N.  SOUTHWORTH. 

AUTHOR   OF   "THE   MISSING   BRIBE;   OR,  MIRIAM,   THE   AVENGER,"  "A   BEAUTIFUL  FIEND,' 

"  HOW  HE  WON  HER,"  "  A  NOBLE  LORD,"  "  CHANGED  BRIDES,"  "  THE  DESERTED  WIPE," 

"  BRIDE'S  FATE,"  "  LADY  OF  THE  ISLE,"  "TUB  BRIDAL  EVE,"  "  CRUEL  AS  THE  GRAVE," 

" THE  WIDOW'S  SON,"  "  ALLWORTH  ABBEY,"  "  LOST  HEIRESS,"  "  FAMILY  DOOM," 

"THB  ARTIST'S  LOVE,"  "GIPSY'S  PROPHECY,"  "HAUNTED  HOMESTEAD," 

"  FALLEN  PRIDE,"  "  VICTOR'S  TRIUMPH,"  "  THE  CURSE  OF  CLIFTON," 

"BPBCTRE  LOVER,"   "MAIDEN  WIDOW,"  "  FORTUNE  SEEKER," 

"  THE  TWO  SISTERS,"  "  FAIR  PLAY,"  "  FATAL  MARRIAGE," 

"  PRINCE  OF  DARKNESS,"  "  BRIDE  OP  LLEWELLYN," 

"MOTHER-IN-LAW,"  "THREE  BEAUTIES,"  "INDIA," 

"  DISCARDED  DAUGHTER,"  "  WIPE'S  VICTORY," 

"LOVE'S  LABOR  WON,"   "RETRIBUTION," 

"THE  CHRISTMAS  QUEST,"  "VIVIA," 

"THE  LOST  HUB  OP  LINL1THGOW." 


And  in  that  deep  and  utter  agony, 

Though,  then,  than  ever,  most  unfit  to  die, 

I  fell  upon  my  knees  and  prayed  for  death. — MATUnnr. 

She  looked  on  many  a  face  with  vacant  eye, 
On  many  a  token  without  knowing  what ; 

She  saw  them  watch  her  without  asking  why, 
And  recked  not  who  around  her  pillow  sat. — BYRON. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS; 

306  CHESTNUT   STREET. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1875,  by 

T.  B.  PETERSON   &  BROTHERS, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


MRS.  EMMA  D.  E.  N.  SOUTHWORTH'S  WORKS, 

Each  Work  is  complete  in  one  large  Duodecimo  Volume. 
•THE  MISSING  BRIDE;  or,  MIRIAM,   THE  AVENGER. 
VICTOR'S  TRIUMPH.     A  Sequel  to  "A  Beautiful  Fiend." 
A  BEAUTIFUL  FIEND,-  or,  THROUGH  THE  FIRE. 
FAIR  PLAY;  or,  THE  TEST  OF  THE  LONE  ISLE. 
HOW  HE    WON  HER.     A   Sequel  to  "Fair  Play." 
THE  SPECTRE  LOVER. 

THE  LOST  HEIR   OF  LINLITHGOW. 
GRUEL  AS  THE  GRAVE. 

THE  CHANGED  BRIDES. 

THE   BRIDE1  S  FATE.     A  Sequel  to  "The  Changed  Brides." 
TRIED  FOR  HER  LIFE.     A  Sequel  to  "Cruel  as  the  Grave." 
THE  CHRISTMAS  GUEST;  or,  The  Crime  and  the  Curse. 
THE  BRIDE  OF  LLEWELLYN. 
THE  GIPSY'S  PROPHECY. 
THE  FORTUNE  SEEKER. 
THE  LOST  HEIRESS. 
THE  THREE  BEAUTIES. 
THE  ARTISTS  LOVE. 

A  NOBLE  LORD.     Sequel  to  "The  Lost  Heir  of  Linlithgow." 
THE  FAMILY  DOOM;  or,   THE  SIN  OF  A  COUNTESS. 
THE  MAIDEN  WIDOW.    Sequel  to  " Tlie  Family  Doom." 
THE  HA  UNTED  HOMESTEAD. 
LOVE'S  LABOR   WON. 
LADY  OF  THE  ISLE. 
THE  WIFE'S  VICTORY. 
THE  DESERTED  WIFE. 

ALLWORTH  ABBEY. 

FALLEN  PRIDE;   or,  THE  MOUNTAIN  GIRL'S  LOVE. 
INDIA;  or,  THE  PEARL  OF  PEARL  RIVER. 
VIVIA;  or,  THE  SECRET  OF  POWER. 
THE  CURSE  OF  CLIFTON. 
THE  DISCARDED  DAUGHTER. 
THE  MOTHER-IN-LAW. 
THE  PRINCE  OF  DARKNESS. 

THE  TWO  SISTERS. 

THE  FATAL  MARRIAGE.  THE  WIDOWS  'SON. 

THE  BRIDAL  EVE.  .      RETRIBUTION. 

Price  of  each,  $1.75  in  Cloth ;   or  $1.50  in  Paper  Cover. 


Above  books  are  for  sale  by  all  Booksellers.     Copies  of  any  one  or  all 
of  the  above  books,  will  be  sent  to  any  one,  to  any  place,  postage  pre-paidt 
or  free  of  freight,  an  remitting  price  of  the  ones  wanted,  to  the  publishers, 
T.   B.  PETERSON  $•  BROTHERS, 

i  .     .  .  306  CHBSTHDT  STBEET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 

••  •    .     ..  •  .  .*•  ••••          «    -«.     ... 


K 


YRL 

P5 


T72 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter  Pago 

i.—  SYBIL'S  SUBTERRANEAN  ADVENTUBES  ..........    21 

II.  —  WHAT  WAS  SOUGHT,  AND  WHAT  WAS   FOUND..  iT    31 

v> 

£J  III.  —  THE    EXPLOSION.,  i^.  ............................      43 

*•*  , 

IV.  —  AFTER  THE   EXPLOSION.  Y.  ......................      47 

v.  —  THE  BOBBERS'  CAVE  ............................    61 

9 

2*  VI.—  THE  BOBBEB  CHIEFTAIN.  .......................      68 

_l 

VII.—  GENTIIJSKA  DUBARRY  ----  ......................      80 

VIII.  —  NELLY  TO  THE  RESCUE.  ...  .....................      90 

£ 

^  IX.  —  THE    SECOND  FLIGHT  ...........................    103 

CM 

X.  —  THE    NIGHT  ATTACK  ON  THE  COACH  ............    120 


XI.—  RAPHAEL  .......................................    133 

XII.—  A  WISE  AND  GOOD  OLD  MAN  ...................    144 

O          XIIL—  HOME  ...........................................    157 

Stf  XIV.—  THE   TRIAL    FOR    LIFE  ..........................    174 

O  r 

XV.—  THE  VERDICT  ...................................    188 

!*J  XVI.  —  CONDEMNED  ....................................    193 

XVII.  —  THE  MERCIFUL  INSANITY  ......................   203 

**        XVIII.—  HOW  SYBIL  RECEIVED  HEK    DEATH  WARRANT..    214 
XIX.  —  THE    EXAMINATION  .............................    221 

XX.  —  THE   LAST   EXPEDIENT  ..........................    228 

XXL  —  ISHMAEL  WORTH'S  NEWS  ........................   234 

(19) 

449110 


CONTENTS. 

Chapter  P*8» 

XXII.— HOPE 240 

xxiii.— SYBIL'S  CHILD 248 

XXIV. — THE    GEEAT  VALLET  STOBM 254 

XXV. — THE    GREAT  'VALLEY  FLOOD 262 

XXVI. — AFTER   THE  DISASTER 272 

XXVII. — THE   VICTIMS 283 

XXVIII.— WHAT  THE  LETTER  CONTAINED 290 

XXIX. — AFTER  THE  EXPATRIATION 306 

XXX. — THE    GUARDIANS  OF  THE  OLD  HOUSE 313 

XXXI. — GEM 326 

XXXII.— -EHE    LAST  FATAL  HALLOW  EVE 337 

XXXIIL— ilETUEN    OF  THE    EXILE ,.  346 


TRIED  FOE  HER  LIFE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

SYBIL'S  SUBTERRANEAN  ADVENTURES. 

Dark  den  is  this, 

Witch-haunted,  devil-built,  and  filled 
With  horrid  shapes,  but  not  of  men  or  beasti, 
Or  aught  with  which  the  affrighted  sense 
Hath  ever  made  acquaintance. 

WHEN  Sybil  recovered  from  her  death-like  swoon,  she 
felt  herself  being  borne  slowly  on  through  what  seemed  a 
narrow,  tortuous  underground  passage ;  but  the  utter  dark 
ness,  relieved  only  by  a  little  gleaming  red  taper  that  moved 
like  a  star  before  her,  prevented  her  from  seeing  more. 

A  presentiment  of  impending  destruction  possessed  her, 
and  overwhelming  horror  filled  her  soul  and  held  her  fac 
ulties.  Though  her  life  had  depended  upon  her  speech, 
she  could  not  have  uttered  a  syllable.  And  no  word  was 
breathed  by  the  mysterious  beings  who  bore  her  on.  Dumb 
as  mutes  at  a  funeral,  they  marched.  Silent,  breathless  as 
one  on  the  brink  of  death,  Sybil  held  her  senses  fast  and 
prayed.  And  the  little  red  spark  moved  through  the  dark 
ness  before  her,  like  a  malignant  star  leading  her  to  doom. 
And  how  long  drawn  out  the  dreadful  way !  minutes 
seemed  months,  and  hours  ages.  The  awful  forms  that 
held  her  in  their  hands;  their  monotonous  tread  as  they 
bore  her  on;  their  utter  silence;  the  deep  darkness;  the 

(21) 


22  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

damp,  earthy,  stifling  atmosphere ;  the  agony  of  suspense  j 
the  horror  of  anticipation ! — all  these  must  have  sent  her 
into  another  swoon,  but  that  her  vigilant  mind  still  held 
her  senses  alert,  and  she  prayed. 

Who  were  these  heings?  Why  had  they  abducted  her? 
What  would  they  do  with  her?  She  asked  herself  these 
questions,  but  shrfnk  appalled  from  any  possible  answer. 
Death  ?  dishonor  worse  than  death  ?  Oh  that  some  mira 
cle  might  save  her  in  this  tremendous  peril !  She  prayed. 
And  what  a  tedious  anguish  of  anxiety !  When  would  the 
end  come  ? 

At  length  a  breath  of  fresh  air  as  from  the  upper  world 
was  wafted  past  her  face.  Welcome  as  a  drop  of  cold  water 
to  a  parched  palate;  was  this  breath  of  fresh  air  to  her 
fevered  lungs.  But  it  passed,  and  all  was  close  and  suffo 
cating  again. 

Next  a  faint  gleam  of  pale  light  glanced  through  the 
darkness  far  ahead,  but  it  vanished,  and  all  was  blackness 
again,  but  for  the  little  red  spark  moving  before  her.  All 
silent,  suffocating,  dark. 

But  presently  there  came  another  breath  of  air,  together 
with  a  faint,  fair,  blue  light  as  of  day,  in  the  far  distance. 
And  soon  the  breath  of  air  became  a  breeze,  and  Sybil 
drew  in  refreshing  draughts  that,  in  renewing  her  vitality 
almost  restored  her  courage. 

And  now  they  moved  on  faster,  for  the  path  was  freer. 
And  now  also  the  dawning  light  enabled  Sybil  to  see  her 
captors ;  and  if  any  circumstance  could  have  increased  her 
horror,  the  looks  of  these  men  must  have  done  so.  They 
were  of  almost  gigantic  height,  and  shrouded  from  head  to 
foot  in  long  black  gowns,  with  hoods  that  were  drawn  over 
their  heads,  while  their  faces  were  entirely  concealed  by 
black  masks.  A  shudder  ran  through  her  frame,  as  she 
looked  upon  them. 

But  soon  the  changing  aspect  of  the  subterranean  pas- 


SYBIL'S   SUBTERRANEAN   ADVENTURES.   23 

sage  forced  itself  upon  her  attention.  It  now  seemed  not 
so  much  a  narrow  passage  as  a  succession  of  small  caverns, 
one  opening  into  another,  and  every  advanced  one  rather 
larger,  lighter,  and  more  beautiful  than  the  preceding ;  the 
walls,  floor,  and  ceiling  being  of  bright  red  sandstone,  and 
lighted  here  and  there  with  sparkling  stalactites.  At  last, 
through  a  narrower  and  more  tortuous  winding  than  any 
they  had  yet  passed,  they  suddenly  entered  a  spacious 
cavern  of  such  exceeding  beauty  and  splendor,  that  for  an 
instant  Sybil  lost  sight  of  her  terrors  in  her  astonishment 
and  admiration. 

The  walls  and  roofs  of  this  dazzling  place  were  com 
pletely  covered  with  the  purest  pearl-like  spar,  and  lighted 
with  pendant  crystals  and  stalactites,  that,  as  they  caught 
the  stray  sunbeams,  glowed,  burned,  blazed,  and  sparkled 
like  a  million  of  pendant  diamonds,  rubies,  emeralds,  and 
sapphires.  The  floor  was  thickly  carpeted  with  living  moss 
of  the  most  brilliant  hues  of  vivid  green,  soft  grey,  delicate 
rose,  and  cerulean  blue.  Into  this  enchanting  palace  of 
nature,  the  light  entered  from  many  almost  imperceptible 
crevices. 

All  this  Sybil  saw  at  a  glance,  and  then  her  eyes  settled 
upon  a  figure  who  seemed  the  sole  occupant  of  the  place. 

This  was  a  young  girl,  who,  with  her  red  cloak  thrown 
mat-like  on  the  moss,  was  seated  upon  it  cross-legged  in 
the  Turkish  fashion.  Her  elfin  face,  her  malign  eyes,  her 
wild  black  hair  and  picturesque  costume,  were  a?l  so  in 
keeping  with  the  aspect  of  the  place,  that  one  might  have 
deemed  her  the  spirit  of  the  cavern. 

Sybil  had  scarcely  time  to  observe  all  this  before  her 
bearers  stood  her  immediately  in  front  of  the  seated  girl, 
and  saying : 

"  There  she  is,  Princess !  So  work  your  will  upon  her," 
they  withdrew. 

Now   the   worst   of    Sybil's    terrors   were   over.     Those 


24  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

dreadful  men  were  gone.     Before  her  was  only  a  woman,  a 
girl,  whom  she  certainly  had  no  reason  to  fear. 

They  looked  at  each  other  in  silence  for  perhaps  half  a 
minute ;  and  then  Sybil  spoke  : 

"What  place  is  this?  Who  are  you?  Why  am  I 
brought  hither  ?  " 

"  One  question  at  a  time,"  answered  the  girl.  " '  What 
place  this  is'  concerns  you  little;  'who  I  am'  concerns  you 
less ;  '  why  you  are  brought  here,'  ah !  that  concerns  you 
very  much !  It  concerns  your  liberty,  and  perhaps  your 
life." 

"  I  do  not  believe  it !  You  have  had  me  torn  away  from 
my  husband!  Where  is  he  now?"  haughtily  demanded 
Mrs.  Berners. 

"  He  is  likely  in  the  hands  of  the  constables,  who  are  by 
this  time  in  possession  of  the  Haunted  Chapel.  But  fear 
nothing !  Him  they  will  release  again,  for  they  have  no 
right  to  detain  him  ;  but  you  they  would  have  kept  if  they 
had  caught  you.  Come,  lady,  do  not  resent  the  rough 
manner  in  which  you  were  saved." 

"  I  do  not  understand  all  this." 

"  It  is  scarcely  necessary  that  you  should." 

"  And  my  husband  !     When  shall  I  see  him  ?  " 

"  When  you  can  do  so  with  safety  to  yourself,  and  to  us." 

"When  will  that  be?" 

"How  can  I  tell?" 

"Oh,  heaven  !  he  will  be  half  crazed  with  anxiety  !  " 

"  Better  that  he  should  be  half  crazed  with  anxiety,  than 
wholly  crazed  by  despair.  Lady,  had  we  not  removed  you 
when  we  did,  you  would  certainly  be  in  the  hands  of  the 
constables  before  this  day  is  over,  probably  before  this 
hour." 

"  How  do  you  know  this  ?  " 

"  From  information  brought  in  by  our  spies." 

"  We  came  upon  the  Haunted  Chapel  by  chance,  in  the 


SYBIL'S  SUBTERRANEAN   ADVENTURES.   25 

dead  of  night.  No  one  could  have  known  so  soon  that  we 
were  there." 

"No  one  did  know  it.  The  constables  were  coming 
there  for  its,  but  they  would  have  found  you,  had  we  not 
brought  you  away  with  us.  That  was  my  doing.  I  made 
your  removal  the  condition  of  my  silence." 

"  Girl,  who  are  you  ?  I  ask  again  ;  and  why  do  you  take 
this  interest  in  me  ?  " 

"  Lady,  I  am  an  outlaw  like  yourself,  hunted  like  your 
self,  in  peril  like  yourself,  guiltless  like  yourself;  the 
daughter,  sister,  companion  of  thieves.  Yet,  never  will  I 
become  a  thief,  or  the  wife  or  the  mother  of  one  !  " 

"  This  is  terrible  ! "  said  Sybil  with  a  shudder.  "  But 
why  should  this  be  so  ?  " 

"  It  is  my  fate." 

"  Aud  why  do  you  care  for  me  ?  " 

"  I  thought  I  had  answered  that  question  in  telling  you 
all  that  I  have  told  about  myself,  for  'a  fellow  feeling 
makes  us  wondrous  kind  ; '  but  if  you  want  another  reason 
I  can  give  it  to  you.  I  care  for  you  because  I  know  that 
you  are  guiltless  of  the  crime  for  which  you  are  hunted 
through  the  world.  And  I  am  resolved,  come  what  may, 
that  you  shall  not  suffer  for  it." 

"  In  the  name  of  heaven,  what  do  you  say  ?  "  exclaimed 
Sybil,  in  strong  excitement.  "  If  you  know  me  to  be  guilt 
less,  you  must  know  who  is  guilty  !  Nay,  you  do  know  it  I 
You  can  not  only  save  my  life,  but  clear  my  fame." 

"  Hush  !  I  know  nothing,  but  that  you  are  guiltless.  I 
can  do  nothing  but  save  your  life." 

"  You  took  me  away  in  the  absence  of  my  husband. 
Why  could  you  not  have  waited  a  little  while  until  his 
return,  and — " 

"  Ha !  ha !  ha ! "  laughed  the  girl,  breaking  in  upon 
Sybil's  speech ;  "  waited  until  his  return,  and  take  two 
strangers,  himself  and  his  servant,  into  our  confidence J 


26  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

Moloch  would  have  brained  me,  or  Belial  would  have  pois 
oned  me  if  I  had  done  such  a  thing.  .We  are  knaves,  hut 
not  fools,  Mrs.  Berners." 

"  But  when  will  you  communicate  with  him,  to  relieve 
his  dreadful  suspense  ?  " 

"  As  soon  as  it  shall  he  safe  to  do  so.  Our  first  care  must 
he  our  own  safety,  but  our  second,  will  be  yours." 

Sybil  said  no  more  at  the  moment ;  but  sat  looking  at  the 
speaker,  and  thinking  of  all  that  had  befallen  her  in  the 
Haunted  Chapel.  Could  this  bright,  warm,  spirited  crea 
ture  possibly  be  the  "  damp  girl "  whose  two  nightly  visita 
tions  had  appalled  her  so  much  ?  She  put  the  question  : 

"  Tell  me ;  are  you  the  one  who  came  twice  to  my  bed 
side  and  lay  down  beside  me,  or  is  there  another  ?  " 

Her  strange  hostess  laughed  aloud,  and  clapped  her 
hands. 

And  there  immediately  appeared  before  them,  as  if  it  had 
dropped  from  the  sky,  or  risen  out  of  the  earth,  a  figure 
that  caused  Sybil  to  start  arid  utter  a  half-^suppressed  scream. 

It  was  that  of  a  small,  thin  girl,  so  bloodless  that  her 
complexion  was  bluish  white ;  her  hair  and  eyes  were  also 
very  light,  and  her  dress  was  a  faded  out  blue  calico,  that 
clung  close  to  her  form ;  her  whole  aspect  was  cold,  damp, 
clammy,  corpse-like,  as  she  stood  mutely  with  hanging  hands 
before  her  summoner. 

"  For  Heaven's  sake,  who  is  she  ?  "  inquired  Sybil,  under 
her  breath. 

"  We  call  her  Proserpine,  because  she  was  reft  from  the 
upper  world  and  brought  down  here.  She  is  my  maid,  my 
shadow,  my  wraith,  my  anything  you  like,  that  never  leaves 
me.  She  it  was  who  visited  you  in  idleness  or  curiosity,  I 
suppose.  She  bore  the  taper  before  you,  when  you  came 
through  the  underground  passage.  More  than  this  I  cannot 
tell  you  of  her,  since  more  I  do  not  know  myself.  You  may 
go  now,  Proserpine.  And  tell  old  Hecate  to  hurry  up  the 


SYBIL'S   S-UBTERRANEAN   ADVENTURES.   27 

breakfast,  as  we  have  company  this  morning.  And  do  you 
come  and  let  me  know  when  it  is  ready." 

Sybil  kept  her  eyes  on  the  pallid  girl  to  see  where  she 
would  go,  and  she  saw  her  slip  through  an  almost  invisible 
opening  in  the  side  of  the  rock.  Then  Sybil  turned  again 
to  her  strange  entertainer,  and  said  : 

"  There  is  something  more  I  wish  to  know,  if  you  do  not 
mind  telling  me.  Why  were  we  drugged  with  opium  that 
night  ?  " 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !  We  had  some  goods  to  remove  from  the 
vault.  You  were  all  in  our  way.  We  were  obliged  either 
to  kill  you  or  to  drug  you.  So  we  drugged  you,"  laughed 
the  girl. 

"And  nearly  killed  us,  as  well." 

"  Yes ;  we  had  to  make  sure  of  your  taking  enough  to 
put  you  to  sleep,  so  I  poured  the  laudanum  into  your  coffee 
pot  pretty  freely,  I  tell  you." 

At  this  moment  the  bloodless  phantom  appeared  again, 
and  in  the  same  thin,  reed-like  voice  that  sounded  so  far 
away,  she  announced  that  breakfast  was  ready. 

"Come,  then;  I  know  you  must  need  nourishment,"  said 
Sybil's  wild  hostess,  rising  to  lead  the  way. 

And  now  Sybil  saw  how  it  was  that  the  pale  girl  had 
slipped  through  the  almost  invisible  aperture,  like  a  spirit 
vanishing  through  a  solid  wall ;  for  the  rocky  partitions  of 
this  natural  underground  palace  overlapped  each  other,  leav 
ing  a  passage  of  about  one  foot  in  width  and  three  feet  in 
length  between  the  walls. 

Through  this  they  passed  into  a  smaller  cavern,  which, 
like  the  larger  one,  had  its  roof  and  walls  incrusted  with 
pearly  spars  and  hung  with  sparkling  stalactites,  and  its 
floor  covered  with  living  moss. 

This  cavern  was  not  only  beautiful,  but  comfortable.  A 
large  charcoal  furnace  that  stood  in  the  middle  of  the  floor 
agrcebly  warmed  the  place,  while  the  appetizing  odor  of  hot 
coffee,  broiled  birds,  and  buckwheat  cakes  filled  the  air 


28  TRIED      FOR      HER     LIFE. 

But  the  furniture  of  the  place  was  the  most  incongruous 
and  amazing  that  could  be  imagined.  A  wooden  table  of 
the  rudest  workmanship  stood  near  the  furnace,  but  it  was 
covered  with  a  white  damask  table-cloth  of  the  finest 
description,  and  adorned  with  a  service  of  the  purest  silver 
plate.  With  this  elegant  and  costly  array  was  intermingled 
crockery-ware  of  the  coarsest  pattern.  Around  the  table 
were  placed  two  three-legged  stools  of  the  roughest  manu 
facture,  and  one  piano  chair  of  the  most  finished  workman 
ship,  of  carved  rosewood  and  cut  velvet. 

Waiting  on  this  table  stood  the  "  damp  girl "  mentioned 
before,  and  also  a  very  small,  dark,  withered  old  woman,  in 
a  black  gown,  with  a  red  handkerchief  tied  over  her  head 
and  under  her  chin. 

"  Come,  Mrs.  Berners,  you  are  my  guest,  and  I  will  give 
you  the  seat  of  honor,"  said  Sybil's  nameless  hostess,  as  she 
led  her  to  the  little  piano  chair  and  put  her  on  it. 

Then  for  herself  she  took  one  of  the  three-legged  stools, 
saying  to  her  handmaid  : 

"  You  may  take  the  other  two  seats  away.  Moloch  and 
Belial  will  not  be  at  breakfast  with  us  this  morning.  They 
have  gone  back  to  the  vault  to  lay  the  train." 

"  Dangerous,"  muttered  the  old  woman  between  her  shut 
lips. 

"Never  you  mind,  Mother  Hecate !  Moloch's  courage  and 
Belial's  craft  will  enable  them  to  take  care  of  them 
selves,"  said  the  girl,  as  she  set  a  cup  of  hot  coffee  before 
her  guest,  and  placed  a  broiled  partridge  and  a  buckwheat 
cake  upon  her  plate. 

Sybil's  long  ride  of  the  night  before,  followed  as  it  had 
been  by  a  refreshing  sleep,  had  so  restored  her  strength  and 
appetite  that,  despite  her  late  fright  and  her  present  anx 
ieties,  she  made  a  very  good  breakfast. 

"  And  now,"  said  the  young  hostess,  as  they  arose  from 
the  table,  "  what  will  you  do  ?  Will  you  lie  down  on  my 


SYBIL'S  SUBTERRANEAN   ADVENTURES.   29 

bed  in  the  next  cavern  and  sleep ;  or  will  you  sit  here  where 
it  is  warm,  and  talk  :  or  will  you  let  me  show  you  through 
this  net-work  of  caverns,  that  underlies  all  this  moun 
tain  ?  " 

"  You  are  very  kind,  at  all  events,  and  I  thank  you  much, 
and  I  think  I  would  like  to  look  at  this  great  natural  curi 
osity,  whose  very  existence  so  near  my  home  I  never  even 
suspected,"  said  Sybil ;  for  she  really  wished  to  explore  the 
wonderful  labyrinth,  not  only  from  motives  of  curiosity,  but 
also  of  policy  ;  for  she  thought  it  would  be  well  to  know  the 
ins  and  outs  of  this  underground  habitation,  in  case  she 
should  find  it  necessary  to  make  her  escape. 

So  her  hostess  took  her  back  into  the  splendid  outer  cav 
ern,  saying : 

"  You  do  not  wish  to  go  back  through  any  of  those  cav 
erns  you  passed  in  coming  here,  so  we  will  go  this  way." 

And  she  passed  behind  another  of  those  over-lapping  par 
titions  of  rock,  and  led  Sybil  into  another  small  division, 
fitted  up  as  a  rude  but  clean  bed-chamber.  In  one  corner 
was  a  pile  of  dried  mose  and  leaves,  covered  with  fine  white 
linen  sheets  and  soft,  warm,  woolen  blankets.  On  a  ledge 
of  rock  stood  a  tin  wash-basin,  in  which  stood  a  pure  silver 
ewer.  In  a  word,  the  appointments  of  this  apartment  were 
as  incongruous  as  those  of  the  other  had  been  found. 

"  This  is  my  bed,  and  if  you  should  be  tired  when  we  get 
back  from  our  tour  through  the  caverns,  or  at  any  time,  you 
can  lie  down  here  and  sleep  in  perfect  safety,"  said  the 
girl. 

"  I  thank  you,"  answered  Sybil,  as  they  passed  out  of  that 
division  into  another. 

It  was  as  the  girl  had  told  her,  a  net-work  or  cell-work 
of  caverns,  occupying,  as  far  as  it  had  been  explored,  several 
acres  under  the  mountain.  All  these  caverns  bore  a  natural 
resemblance  to  each  other.  All  had  their  roofs  and  walls 
incrusted  with  pearly  spars  and  hung  with  glittering  stalac- 


80  TRIED     FOE     HER      LIFE. 

tites,  and  their  floors  covered  with  living  moss  ;  and  all  were 
connected  by  narrow  passages,  with  the  walls  lapping  past 
each  other. 

But  some  of  these  caverns  were  large,  and  lighted  by 
crevices  in  the  roof,  and  others  were  small  and  dark.  Some 
of  the  passages  between  them  were  also  wide  and  free,  and 
some  narrow  and  impassable.  And  in  some  black  inaccessi 
ble  holes  was  heard  the  fearful  sound  of  subterranean  waters. 
In  one  of  the  larger  divisions  of  the  cavern  there  were  boxes 
and  bales  of  merchandise,  and  silver  plate  and  jewels ;  in 
another  there  was  the  complicated  machinery  of  an  under 
ground  distillery ;  and  in  still  another  was  a  collection  of 
burglars'  tools,  counterfeiters'  instruments,  and  firearms. 

"  I  show  you  all !  I  do  not  fear  to  do  so !  You  will 
never  betray  us,  even  if  you  have  a  chance  ;  but  you  will 
never  have  a  chance,"  said  the  guide. 

"  What !     You  would  not  keep  me  here  for  ever  ?  " 

"  No ;  for  we  shall  not  stay  for  ever.  Be  comforted,  lady ! 
No  harm  is  intended  you,"  said  the  girl,  as,  having  shown 
her  guest  all  that  was  to  be  seen  of  the  caverns,  she  con 
ducted  her  back  to  the  bedroom. 

"  I  am  very  much  surprised  at  all  that  I  have  seen,"  said 
Sybil.  "  I  had  no  idea  that  there  was  a  cave  of  such  extent 
and  beauty  so  near  our  home." 

"  I  believe,"  answered  the  girl,  "  that  there  are  many 
caves  in  the  mountains,  as  there  are  many  isles  in  the  ocean, 
that  have  never  been  discovered." 

Sybil  looked  up  in  surprise.  "  You  call  yourself  the  com 
panion  of  thieves,  yet  you  talk  like  a  person  of  intelligence 
and  refinement,"  she  said. 

The  girl  laughed  sardonically.  "  Of  course  people  '  of 
intelligence  and  refinement '  are  all  and  always  honest  and 
true.  You  should  know  Belial !  He  taught  me  to  read.  I 
taught  myself  everything  else.  I  have  read  Homer,  Dante, 
Milton,  and  Shakespeare.  But  now  you  are  tired;  you 


WHAT     SOUGHT,     AND     WHAT     FOUND.      31 


look  so.     Lie  down  ou  my  bed  of  moss  and  rest,  and  I 
cover  you  up  warm." 

"Thank    you,   I   will   do   so,"    answered   Sybil,   gladly 
stretching  her  wearied  limbs  upon  the  soft  couch. 

Her  wild  hostess  covered  her  carefully,  and  then  left  her, 
saying  : 

"  Sleep  in  peace,  lady,  for  here  you  are  perfectly  safe." 


CHAPTER  II. 

WHAT   WAS    SOUGHT,   AND   WHAT   WAS   FOUND. 

They  sought  her  that  night,  and  they  sought  her  next  day, 

They  sought  her  In  vain  till  a  week  passed  away, 

The  highest,  the  lowest,  the  loneliest  spot, 

Her  husband  sought  wildly,  but  found  her  not. — THE  MISTLETOE  BOUGH. 

WHEN  Lyon  Berners  and  his  faithful  servaut  returned  to 
the  Haunted  Chapel,  after  having  comfortably  disposed  of 
their  horses  for  the  rest  of  the  night,  the  interior  was  still 
so  dark  that  they  did  not  at  first  discover  the  absence  of 
Sybil,  especially  as  the  covering  lay  heaped  upon  the  mat 
tress  so  like  a  sleeping  form,  that  even  in  a  less  murky 
darkness  it  might  have  been  mistaken  for  her. 

As  it  was  now  very  cold,  Mr.  Berners,  who  had  found  a 
tinder-box  and  a  coil  of  wax  tapers  among  his  other  effects 
in  the  wagon,  struck  a  light,  with  the  intention  of  kindling 
a  fire. 

Joe  brought  some  broken  sticks  and  dry  brushwood  from 
the  far  corner  where  Lyon  Berners  had  piled  it  up  just  be 
fore  the  flight  from  the  chapel,  and  between  the  master  and 
man  they  soon  kindled  a  cheerful  blaze  that  lighted  up 
every  nook  and  crevice  of  the  old  interior. 

Then  Mr.  Beruers  turned  toward  the  mattress  to  see  how 
his  wife  might  be  sleeping. 


82  TRIED      FOR      HER     LIFE. 

"  Why,  she  is  not  here  !  She  has  waked  up  and  walked 
out,"  he  exclaimed,  in  some  surprise  and  annoyance,  but 
not  in  the  least  alarm,  for  he  naturally  supposed  that  she 
had  only  left  the  chapel  for  a  few  minutes,  and  would  soon 
return. 

"  Hi !  whar  de  dehbil  she  took  herself  off  to.  all  alone, 
dis  onlawful  time  o'  de  night  ?  "  cried  Joe,  in  dismay. 

"  Oh,  not  far  !  She  will  soon  be  back  again,"  answered 
Mr.  Berners  cheerfully.  And  then  he  took  one  of  the 
blankets  from  the  mattress  and  folded  it  up  for  a  seat,  and 
sat  down  upon  it  near  the  fire,  and  stretched  his  benumbed 
hands  over  the  blaze.  Joe  followed  his  example,  stretching 
out  his  hands  also,  and  staring  across  the  fire  at  his  master 
—staring  at  such  a  rate  that  Mr.  Berners,  feeling  somewhat 
inconvenienced,  sharply  demanded : 

"  What  the  deuce  do  you  mean  by  that,  Joe  ?  " 

"  I  want  to  go  and  sarch  for  my  mistess.  I  do  n't  feel 
satisfied  into  my  own  mind  about  her." 

"  Why,  what  are  you  afraid  of,  man  ?  " 

"  Ghostesses." 

"  Absurd ! " 

"  Well,  now,  no  it  an't,  marster.  I  've  knowed  Miss 
Sybil  longer  'n  you  have.  I  've  knowed  her  ever  since  she 
was  born,  and  I  do  n't  believe  as  she  *d  go  out  all  alone  by 
herself  in  the  dead  of  night  to  the  lonesome  church-yard — 
that  I  do  n't.  And  I  'a  afeard  as  the  ghostesses  have 
spirited  her  away." 

"  Preposterous,  Joe !  Have  you  lived  in  an  intelligent 
family,  and  in  a  Christian  community  all  your  life,  to  be 
lieve  in  '  ghostesses,'  as  you  call  them  ?  Are  you  such  a 
big  fool  as  all  that,  at  your  time  of  life  ?  " 

"  Yes,  marster,  I 's  jest  sich  a  big  fool  as  all  that,  at  my 
time  of  life.  And  I  want  to  go  out  and  sarch  for  my 
young  mistess,"  said  Joe,  in  the  spirit  of  "  dogged  persist* 
ence,"  as  he  began  to  gather  himself  up. 


WHAT     SOUGHT,     AND      WHAT      FOUND.       33 

"Stop,  stay  where  you  are.  If  one  of  us  must  go,  it 
oust  be  myself,"  said  Mr.  Berners. 

"  Which  would  be  a  heap  the  most  properest  proceedings, 
any  ways,"  muttered  Joe,  sulkily  settling  himself  in  his 
seat  again,  in  a  manner  that  seemed  to  say,  "  And  I  wonder 
why  you  did  n't  do  it  before." 

"  She  really  ought  to  be  back  by  this  time,  even  if  she 
went  out  but  the  moment  before  we  returned ;  and  she  may 
have  gone  out  before  that,"  murmured  Mr.  Berners,  with 
some  little  vague  uneasiness,  as  he  arose  and  buttoned  hia 
overcoat,  and  went  into  the  church-yard. 

The  day  was  dawning,  and  the  old  tombstones  gleamed 
faintly  from  their  bushes,  in  the  pale  gray  light  of  early 
morning. 

"  She  cannot  have  gone  far ;  she  would  not  venture  ;  she 
must  be  very  near,"  he  said  to  himself,  and  he  murmured 
softly : 

"  Sybil !  Sybil !  where  are  you,  love  ?  " 

There  was  no  answer,  and  he  raised  his  voice  a  little. 

"  Sybil,  Sybil,  my  darling  !  " 

Still  there  was  no  response.  His  vague  uneasiness  be 
came  anxiety,  and  he  called  aloud  : 

"  SYBIL  !  "SYBIL  ! " 

But  nothing  came  of  it,  and  his  anxiety  grew  to  terror, 
and  he  ran  wildly  about  shouting  her  name  till  all  the 
mountain  rocks  and  glens  echoed  and  reechoed : 

"SYBIL!  SYBIL!" 

And  now  he  was  joined  by  Joe,  whose  faithful  and  affec 
tionate  heart  was  wrung  with  anxiety  and  distress  for  hia 
beloved  and  missing  young  mistress. 

"  You  can  't  find  her  ?  Oh,  Marster,  where  is  she  gone  ? 
What  have  become  of  her  ?  Oh,  what  shall  we  do  ?  "  he 
cried,  wringing  his  hands  in  great  trouble. 

"  We  must  search  for  her,  Joe.  This  is  very  strange, 
and  very  alarming,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  striking  off  into  the 
2 


84  TRIED      FOR     HER     LIFE. 

path  that  led  to  the  fountain,  and  shouting  her  name  at 
every  step. 

But  only  the  mountain  echoes  answered.  In  an  agony 
of  anxiety  they  beat  about  the  woods  and  thickets,  and 
climbed  the  rocks  and  went  down  into  the  glens,  still  shout 
ing — always  shouting  her  name. 

Day  broadened,  the  sun  arose,  and  it's  first  rays  struck 
them  as  they  stood  upon  the  heights  behind  the  chapel, 
looking  all  over  the  wilderness. 

"  In  the  name  of  Heaven,  now  what  are  we  to  do  ?  " 
exclaimed  Lyon  Berners,  speaking  more  to  himself  than  to 
another. 

Joe  was  standing,  leaning  upon  his  stick  in  an  attitude  of 
the  deepest  despair.  But  suddenly  he  raised  his  head,  and 
a  gleam  of  light  shot  over  his  dark  face,  as  he  said  : 

"  I  tell  you  what  we  can  do,  Marster  :  where  she  's  took 
to,  we  can  find  out  at  all  ewents.  I  say  where  she 's  took  to, 
for  she  never  went  of  her  own  accords." 

"  Heaven  help  my  poor  darling  !  no  ;  she  never  did.  But 
how  do  you  think  you  can  trace  her,  Joe  ?  " 

"  This  a-way !  I  '11  take  the  freshest  of  them  horses,  and 
ride  home  as  fast  as  I  can  for  life  and  death  ;  and  I  '11  snatch 
up  her  little  dog  as  has  been  pining  away  ever  since  she 
left,  and  I  '11  bring  it  here  and  make  it  smell  to  the  bed 
clothes  where  she  lay,  and  then  put  it  on  the  scent,  to  lead 
us  the  way  she  went." 

"  Eureka,  Joe !  The  instinct  of  faithful  affection,  in  man 
or  brute,  sometimes  puts  pure  reason  to  the  blush  by  its 
superior  acumen,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Berners. 

"  I  do  n't  know  no  more  'n  the  dead  what  you  're  a-talking 
about,  Marster ;  but  that 's  the  way  to  find  out  where  Miss 
Sybil  was  took,"  answered  practical  Joe. 

"  Come,  then,  we  will  go  at  once  and  look  at  the  horses. 
I  think,  Joe,  that  one  of  your  cart  horses  would  be  better  to 
take,  as  they  have  not  been  so  hard  worked  as  ours,"  said 


WHAT     SOUGHT,     AND     WHAT     FOUND.      35 

Mr.  Berners,  as  they  ran  down  the  steep  to  the  thicket  in 
the  rear  of  the  chapel,  where  they  had  left  their  horses. 

In  a  very  few  minutes  Joe  had  selected  and  saddled  hia 
horse,  and  stood  ready  to  start. 

"  I  need  n't  tell  you  to  be  prudent,  Joe,  and  to  drop  no 
hint  of  your  errand,"  said  Mr.  Berners. 

"  Well,  no,  you  need  n't  take  that  there  trouble,  Marse 
Lyon,  'cause  you  'd  be  a-cautioning  of  Joe,  as  is  cautious 
enough  a'ready.  Good-morning,  Marse  Lyon.  I'll  be  at 
Black  Hall  afore  the  fam'ly  is  well  out  of  bed,  and  I  '11  be 
back  here  with  the  little  dog  afore  you  have  time  to  get 
unpatient,"  said  Joe,  climbing  into  his  saddle  and  riding 
away. 

Mr.  Berners  returned  to  the  chapel,  where  he  found  the 
fire  smouldering  out,  but  everything  else  in  the  same  con 
dition  in  which  he  had  left  it  when  he  went  in  pursuit  of 
Sybil. 

Far  too  restless  to  keep  still,  he  walked  up  and  down  the 
length  of  the  chapel,  until  he  was  fairly  tired  out.  Then 
he  went  to  the  front  door  and  sat  down,  keeping  his  eyes 
upon  the  entrance  of  the  little  thicket  path,  by  which  he 
knew  that  Joe  must  return.  And  although  he  knew  it  was 
much  too  early  to  expect  his  messenger  back,  yet  he  still 
impatiently  watched  that  path. 

Presently  the  sound  of  approaching  horsemen  struck 
upon  his  listening  ear.  They  were  coming  up  the  path. 
through  the  thicket,  and  presently  they  emerged  from  it— 
not  two  or  three,  but  couple  after  couple,  until  the  old 
churchyard  was  filled  with  sheriff's  officers  and  militia-men. 
Sheriff  Benthwick  himself  was  at  their  head. 

In  great  surprise,  as  if  they  had  come  in  quest  of  him, 
Mr.  Berners  went  forward  to  receive  the  party. 

Lyon  Berners  was  known  to  have  been  the  companion  of 
his  fugitive  wife,  and  therefore  a  sort  of  an  outlaw ;  yet  the 
sheriff  took  off  his  hat,  and  accosted  him  respectfully. 


36  TRIED      FOR      HER     LIFE. 

"  Mr.  Berners,  I  am  greatly  surprised  to  see  you  here," 
he  said. 

'*  Not  less  than  myself  at  seeing  you,"  answered  Lyon. 

"  We  are  here  to  seek  out  a  set  of  burglars  whom  we 
have  reason  to  believe  have  their  lair  in  this  chapel,"  said 
Mr.  Benthwick. 

"  Then  your  errand  is  not  to  me,"  observed  Lyon. 

"  Certainly  not !  Though,  should  I  find  Mrs.  Berners 
here,  as  well  as  yourself,  as  I  think  now  highly  probable,  I 
shall  have  a  most  painful  duty  to  perform." 

"  Ah,  sir  !  within  the  last  terrible  month,  I  have  become 
all  too  much  accustomed  to  the  sight  of  friends  with  '  pain 
ful  duties  to  perform,'  as  they  delicately  put  it.  But  you 
will  be  spared  the  pain.  Mrs.  Berners  is  not  here  with  me." 

"  Not  here  with  you  ?     Then  where  is  she  ?  " 

"  Excuse  me,  Mr.  Benthwick,"  said  Mr.  Berners.  gravely ; 
"you  certainly  forget  yourself;  you  cannot  possibly  expect 
me  to  tell  you — even  if  I  knew  myself,"  he  added,  in  an 
undertone. 

"  No,  I  cannot,  indeed,"  admitted  the  sheriff.  "  Nor  did 
I  come  here  to  look  for  Mrs.  Berners,  having  had  neither 
information  nor  suspicion  that  she  was  here ;  nevertheless, 
if  I  find  her  I  shall  be  constrained  to  arrest  her.  Were  it 
not  for  my  duty,  I  could  almost  pray  that  I  might  not  find 
her." 

"  I  do  not  think  you  will,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  grimly. 

And  meanwhile  the  officers  and  the  militia-men,  at  a  sign 
from  the  sheriff,  had  surrounded  the  chapel  so  that  it  would 
be  impossible  for  any  one  who  might  be  within  its  walls  to 
escape  from  it. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Berners.  as  you  assure  me  that  your  wife  is 
not  within  this  building,  perhaps  you  may  have  no  objec 
tion  to  enter  it  with  me,"  said  the  sheriff. 

"  Not  the  least  in  the  world,"  answered  Lyon  Berners, 
leading  the  way  into  the  chapel,  as  the  sheriff  dismounted 


WHAT     SOUGHT,     AND     WHAT     FOUND.       37 

from  his  horse,  threw  the  bridle  to  an  attendant,  and  fol 
lowed. 

The  interior  was  soon  thoroughly  searched,  having  noth 
ing  but  its  bare  walls  and  vacant  windows,  with  the  excep 
tion  of  Sybil's  forsaken  bed  near  the  altar,  the  smouldering 
fire  in  what  had  once  been  the  middle  aisle,  and  the  little  pile 
of  brushwood  in  the  corner. 

"  There  is  certainly  no  one  here  but  yourself,  Mr.  Ber 
ners;  yet  here  are  signs  of  human  habitation,"  said  the 
sheriff  significantly. 

Lyon  Berners  laughed  painfully.  And  then  he  thought 
it  would  be  safest  to  inform  the  sheriff  of  some  part  of  the 
truth,  rather  than  to  leave  him  to  his  own  conjectures,  which 
might  cover  the  whole  case.  So  he  answered  : 

"  I  do  not  mind  telling  you,  Mr.  Benthwick,  that  myself 
and  my  injured  wife  took  refuge  in  this  place  immediately 
after  the  terrible  tragedy  that  so  unjustly  compromised  her 
safety.  We  remained  here  several  days,  and  then  departed. 
These  things  that  you  notice  had  been  brought  for  our  accom 
modation,  and  were  left  here  when  we  went  away." 

"  So  you  were  not  at  Pendleton's  ?  " 

"  Not  for  an  hour." 

"  That  is  strange.  But  how  comes  it  that  you  are  here 
now  without  your  wife,  Mr.  Berners  ?  " 

"  Sir,*I  have  told  you  all  that  I  mean  to  tell,  and  now  my 
lips  are  sealed  on  the  subject  of  my  wife,"  said  Lyon  Ber 
ners,  firmly. 

"  I  cannot  and  do  not  blame  you  in  the  least,"  said  the 
sheriff,  kindly. 

"  All  that  we  have  to  do  now,  is  to  pursue  our  search  for 
the  burglars,  and  if  in  the  course  of  it  we  should  come  upon 
Mrs.  Berners,  we  must  do  our  duty,"  he  concluded. 

"  To  that  proposition  Mr.  Berners  assented  with  a  silent 
bow  and  bitterly  compressed  lips.  The  sheriff  then  went  to 
the  door  of  the  vault,  and  stooping  down  with  his  handa 

449110' 


88  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

upon  his  knees,  peered  through  the  iron  grating,  more  in 
curiosity  than  in  any  hope  of  finding  a  clue  to  the  robbers. 
And  in  fact  he  discovered  nothing  but  the  head  of  that 
narrow  staircase  whose  foot  disappeared  in  the  darkness 
below. 

"  Phew !  what  a  damp,  deadly  air  comes  up  from  that 
foul  pit!  it  hasn't  been  opened  in  half  a  century,  I  sup 
pose,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Benthwick,  taking  hold  of  the  rusty 
bars  and  trying  to  shake  the  grating ;  but  finding  it  im 
movable,  he  ceased  his  efforts  and  turned  away. 

Then  he  went  to  the  chapel  door,  and  called  his  men 
around  him,  saying  : 

"  There  is  no  sign  of  the  miscreants  inside  the  ruin ;  we 
must  search  for  them  outside." 

And  he  divided  his  party  into  four  detachments ;  and  one 
he  sent  up  the  narrow  path  leading  to  the  fountain,  another 
he  sent  up  on  the  heights,  and  another  down  in  the  glen ; 
•while  he  himself  led  the  fourth  back  upon  the  path  leading 
through  the  thicket.  And  they  beat  the  woods  in  all  direc-» 
tions  without  coming  upon  the  "trail"  of  the  burglars.  But 
Sheriff  Benthwick,  in  going  tnrough  the  thicket  with  his 
little  party,  met  a  harmless  negro  on  a  tired  horse  with  a 
little  dog  before  him.  The  sheriff  knew  the  negro,  and 
accosted  him  by  name. 

"  Joe,  what  are  you  doing  here,  so  far  from  your  home  ?  " 

Joe  was  ready  with  his  answer : 

"  If  you  please,  marster,  I  am  coming  to  fetch  away  some 
truck  left  here  by  a  picnic  party  from  our  house." 

"  Ah  !  a  picnic  party  !  I  know  all  about  that  picnic 
party !  I  have  been  up  to  the  old  ruin  and  had  a  talk  with 
your  master,  and  he  has  told  me  of  it,"  said  the  sheriff  cun 
ningly,  hoping  to  betray  the  negro  into  some  admissions 
that  might  be  of  service  to  him  in  tracing  Sybil. 

But  his  cunning  was  no  match  for  Joe's. 

«  Well,  marster,"  he  said,  "  if  Marse  Lyon  telled  you  all 


WHAT     SOUGHT,     AND      WHAT      FOUND.      39 

about  that,  you  must  be  satisfied  into  your  honorable  mind, 
as  I  am  a  telling  of  the  truth,  and  does  come  after  the  truck 
left  in  the  chapel,  which  you  may  see  my  wagon  a-standin' 
out  there  on  the  road  beyant  for  yourself." 

"  Then  if  you  have  a  wagon,  why  do  you  come  on  horse 
back  ?  " 

"  Lor 's  marster,  I  could  n't  no  ways  get  a  wagon  through 
this  here  thicket." 

The  sheriff  felt  that  that  was  true,  and  that  he  had  been 
making  a  fool  of  himself.  He  made  a  great  many  more 
inquiries,  but  received  no  satisfaction  from  astute  Joe.  He 
asked  no  question  about  the  little  dog,  considering  her  of  no 
importance.  And  at  length,  having  no  pretext  to  stop  the 
negro,  he  let  him  pass  and  go  on. 

Joe,  glad  to  be  relieved,  touched  up  his  horse  and 
trotted  briskly  through  the  thicket,  and  through  the  grave 
yard,  to  the  ruined  door  of  the  old  chapel.  Here  he  dis 
mounted,  tied  his  horse  to  a  tree,  and  put  down  the  little 
Skye  terrier,  who  no  sooner  found  herself  at  liberty,  than 
she  bounded  into  the  church  and  ran  with  joyous  leaps  and 
barks,  and  jumped  upon  her  master,  licking,  or  kissing,  as 
she  understood  kissing,  his  hands  and  face  all  over  with  her 
little  tongue,  and  assuring  him  how  glad  she  was  to  see 
him. 

"Nelly,  Nelly,  good  Nelly,  pretty  Nelly,"  said  Mr.  Ber- 
ners,  caressing  her  soft,  curly  brown  hair. 

But  Nelly  grew  fidgety ;  something  was  wanting — the 
best  thing  of  all  was  wanting^her  mistress !  So  she 
jumped  from  her  master's  lap,  not  forgetting  to  kiss  him 
good-by,  by  a  direct  lick  upon  his  lips,  and  then  she  ran 
snuffing  and  whining  about  the  floor  of  the  chapel  until  she 
came  to  the  mattress  and  blankets,  where  she  began  wildly 
to  root  and  paw  about,  whining  piteously  all  the  while, 

"  Nelly,  good  dog,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  taking  the  blanket 
and  holding  it  to  her  nose.  "  Sybil,  Sybil !  seek  her,  seek 
her ! " 


40  TRIED      FOR     HER     LIFE. 

The  little  Skye  terrier  looked  up  with  a  world  of  intelli 
gence  and  devotion  in  her  brown  eyes,  and  re-commenced 
her  rooting  and  pawing  and  snuffing  around  the  bedding, 
and  for  some  little  time  was  at  fault ;  but  at  length,  with  a 
quick  bark  of  delight,  she  struck  a  line  of  scent,  and  with 
her  nose  close  to  the  floor,  cautiously  followed  it  to  the  door 
of  the  vault,  at  which  she  stopped  and  began  to  scratch  and 
bark  wildly,  hysterically — running  back  to  her  master  and 
whining,  and  then  running  forward  to  the  door,  and  barking 
and  scratching  with  all  her  might  and  main. 

"  There  she  is,  Marster.  Mistess  is  down  in  that  vault, 
so  sure  'a  I  'm  a  livin'  nigger,"  exclaimed  Joe,  who  now 
came  up  to  the  door. 

"  Good  Heaven !  she  could  not  live  there  an  hour ;  the 
very  air  is  death  !  But  if  there,  with  a  breath  of  life 
remaining,  she  must  hear  and  answer  us,"  exclaimed  Lyon 
Berners,  in  breathless  haste,  as  he  went  to  the  door  of  the 
vault ;  and  putting  his  lips  close  to  the  bars,  called  loudly : 

"  Sybil,  Sybil !  my  darling,  are  you  there  ?  " 

But  though  he  bent  his  ear  and  listened  in  the  dead 
silence  and  dread  suspense,  no  breath  of  answer  came. 
And  little  Nelly,  who  had  ceased  her  noise,  began  to  whine 
again. 

Lyon  Berners  soothed  her  into  quietness,  and  began  to 
call  again  and  again  ;  but  still  no  breath  of  response  from 
the  dark  and  silent  depths  below. 

"  If  she  is  there,  she  is  dead  ! "  groaned  Lyon  Berners, 
in  a  voice  of  agony,  as  he  thought  of  all  Sybil  had  told 
him  of  the  open  vault  and  the  mysterious  figures  that  had 
passed  to  and  from  it  in  the  night,  and  which  he  had  set 
down  as  so  many  dreams  and  nightmares,  reverted  to  his 
memory.  Oh,  if  this  chapel  were  indeed  the  den  of  thieves ; 
if  they  had  some  secret  means  of  opening  that  vault ;  if 
they  had  come  upon  his  sleeping  wife  while  she  was  left 
alone  in  the  chapel,  and  robbed  her  of  the  money  and 


WHAT     SOUGHT,    AND      WHAT     FOUND.      41 

jewels  she  had  about  her  person,  and  then  murdered  her, 
and  taken  her  body  down  into  the  vault  for  concealment ; 
or  if,  as  was  most  likely,  for  there  was  no  mark  of  violence 
or  stain  of  blood  about  the  place — they  had  taken  her  to 
the  vault  first,  and  robbed  and  murdered  her  there. 

Oh,  if  these  horrible  fears  should  be  realized ! 

With  the  very  thought  Lyon  Berners  went  pale  and  cold 
as  marble  in  an  anguish  such  as  he  had  never  felt  in  the 
severest  crisis  of  their  sorely  troubled  lives. 

"  Joe  ! "  he  cried,  "  go  search  the  wagon  for  that  crow 
bar  belonging  to  Captain  Pendleton.  It  must  be  there 
somewhere.  And  I  must  break  this  vault  door  open,  or 
break  my  heart-strings  in  the  trial." 

"  The  crowbar  is  all  right,  Marster.  And  I  '11  go  and 
fetch  it  as  fast  as  I  can.  But  we  '11  nebber  see  Mistess 
alive  again !  Nebber,  Marster,  in  this  world ! "  sobbed 
Joe,  as  he  arose  from  his  knees  near  the  door  and  went 
upon  his  errand. 

Little  Nelly  renewed  her  passionate  demonstrations  of 
distress  and  anxiety ;  now  furiously  barking  and  scratching 
at  the  door;  now  jumping  upon  her  master's  breast,  and 
looking  up  into  his  face  and  whining,  as  if  telling  him  that 
her  mistress  was  down  there,  imploring  his  human  aid  to 
free  her,  and. wondering  why  it  was  not  given. 

"  I  know  it,  my  poor  little  dog  !  I  know  it  all ! "  said 
Lyon,  soothingly. 

But  little  Nelly  was  incredulous  and  inconsolable,  and 
continued  her  hysterical  deportment  through  the  half  hour 
which  intervened  between  the  departure  and  the  return  of 
Joe. 

"  Ah,  give  me  the  tool !  "  eagerly  exclaimed  Mr.  Berners, 
snatching  the  crowbar  from  the  negro,  as  soon  as  he  saw 
him. 

And  he  went  and  applied  it  with  all  his  force  to  the  door, 
straining  his  strong  muscles  until  they  knotted  like  cords, 


42  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

while  Joe  looked  on  in  anxiety  and  suspense,  and  little 
Nelly  stood  approvingly  wagging  her  tail,  as  if  to  say : 

"Now,  at  last,  you  are  doing  the  right  thing." 

But  with  all  Lyon's  straining  and  wrenching,  he  failed 
to  move  the  impassable  door  one  hair's  breadth. 

Joe  also  took  a  turn  at  the  crowbar ;  but  with  no  more 
success. 

They  rested  a  while,  and  then  united  their  efforts,  and 
with  all  their  strength  essayed  to  force  the  door ;  but  with 
out  the  slightest  effect  upon  its  immovable  bars. 

"  I  might  have  known  we  could  not  do  it  this  way,  for 
neither  Pendletou  nor  myself  could  succeed  in  doing  so. 
Joe,  we  must  take  down  the  altar  and  take  up  the  flagstones ; 
but  that  will  be  a  work  of  time  and  difficulty,  and  you  will 
have  to  go  back  home  and  bring  the  proper  tools." 

"  But  the  day  is  most  gone,  Marster,  and  it  will  take  me 
most  all  night  to  go  to  Black  Hall  and  get  the  tools  and 
come  back  here.  And  is  my  poor  mistress  to  stay  down 
there  into  that  dismal  place  all  that  time  ?  "  sobbed  the 
negro. 

"  Joe  !  if  she  is  there,  as  the  little  dog  insists  that  she  is, 
you  know  that  she  must  be  dead.  And  it  is  her  body  that 
we  are  seeking,"  groaned  Lyon  Berners,  in  despair. 

"  I  knows  it,  Marster — I  knows  it  too  well ;  but  I  can't 
feel  as  it  is  true,  all  de  same.  And  oh  !  even  to  leave  her 
dear  body  there  so  long ! "  said  Joe,  bursting  into  a  storm 
of  tears  and  sobs. 

"  That  cannot  be  helped,  my  poor  fellow.  Besides,  I  shall 
sit  at  this  door  and  watch  till  your  return,  and  we  can  work 
down  into  the  vault.  She  shall  not  be  quite  alone,  Joe." 

So  persuaded,  Joe,  unmindful  of  fatigue,  once  more  set 
out  for  Black  Hall.  But  on  this  occasion  he  took  another 
horse,  which  was  fresher.  The  sun  had  now  set,  and  the 
short  winter  twilight  was  darkening  into  night. 


THE     EXPLOSION.  43 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE      EXPLOSION". 
There  came  a  burst  of  thunder  sound  I — HEMANB. 

LYON  BERNERS,  chilled  to  the  heart  with  the  coldness  of 
the  night,  half  famished  for  want  of  food,  and  wearied  with 
his  late  violent  exertions,  and  wishing  to  recruit  his  strength 
for  the  next  day's  hard  work,  kindled  a  fire,  and  made  some 
coffee,  and  forced  himself  to  eat  and  drink  a  little,  before  he 
drew  his  mattress  to  the  door  of  the  vault,  and  stretched 
himself  down  as  near  as  he  could  possibly  get  to  the  place 
where  he  believed  the  dead  body  of  his  beloved  wife  lay. 

Poor  little  Nelly,  abandoning  her  efforts  either  from  ex 
haustion  or  in  despair,  crept  up  and  tried  to  squeeze  herself 
between  her  master  and  the  door  of  the  vault  that  she  too 
thought  held  her  mistress.  Lyon  made  room  for  her  to  curl 
herself  up  by  his  side,  and  he  caressed  her  soft  fur,  while  he 
waked  and  watched. 

It  was  now  utterly  dark  in  the  chapel  but  for  the  dull  red 
glow  of  the  fire,  which  was  dying  out.  An  hour  passed  by, 
and  the  last  spark  expired,  and  the  chapel  was  left  in  total 
darkness. 

The  agonies  of  that  night  who  shall  tell?  They  were 
extreme — they  seemed  interminable. 

At  length  the  slow  morning  dawned.  Lyon  arose  with 
the  sun,  and  walked  about  the  chapel  in  the  restlessness  of 
mental  anguish.  The  little  dog  followed  at  his  heels, 
whining.  Presently  Lyon  took  up  the  crowbar  and  tried 
again  to  force  the  iron  door.  He  might  as  well  have  tried 
to  move  a  mountain.  He  threw  away  the  crowbar  in  des 
peration,  and  then  he  stooped  and  peered  through  the  iron 
bars  :  all  dark  !  all  still  in  those  dismal  depths  !  He  turned 
away  and  rekindled  the  fire,  and  prepared  a  little  breakfast 


44  TRIED     FOB     HER     LIFE. 

for  himself  and  his  dumb  companion.  He  must  cherish  his 
strength  for  the  work  that  was  before  him. 

After  having  eaten  a  morsel,  and  given  his  dog  food,  he 
signalled  to  her  to  lie  down  at  the  door  of  the  vault  and 
watch,  while  he  went  out  towards  the  thicket  to  look  for 
Joe,  who  might  now  soon  be  expected. 

He  went  through  the  church-yard,  and  on  to  the  entrance 
of  the  thicket  path ;  he  even  pursued  that  path  until  it  led 
him  out  upon  the  river  road.  He  looked  down  the  road  for 
miles,  but  saw  no  sign  of  Joe  ! 

Then,  not  wishing  longer  to  leave  the  spot  where  the 
body  of  his  murdered  wife  was  supposed  to  lie  unburied,  he 
went  back  through  thicket  and  graveyard  to  the  chapel, 
where  at  the  door  of  the  vault  the  faithful  little  Skye  terrier 
still  watched. 

He  entered  and  threw  himself  down  beside  her,  there  to 
wait  for  the  return  of  his  messenger. 

But  ah !  this  was  destined  to  be  a  day  of  weary,  weary 
waiting !  The  morning  advanced  towards  noon,  and  still 
Joe  did  not  appear.  Lyon  arose  and  walked  restlessly 
about  the  chapel,  stopping  sometimes  to  peer  down  into  the 
vault,  where  nothing  could  be  seen,  or  to  call  down  where 
nothing  could  be  heard,  or  he  took  up  the  crowbar  again, 
and  renewed  his  frantic  efforts  to  force  the  iron  door  that 
nothing  could  move. 

Noon  passed ;  afternoon  advanced. 

"  Something  has  happened  to  Joe,"  said  the  desperate 
man  to  himself,  as  once  more  he  started  out  in  the  forlorn 
hope  of  meeting  his  messenger. 

Again  the  weary  way  was  traversed ;  again  he  went 
through  the  church-yard  and  thicket,  and  came  out  upon 
the  long  river  road,  and  strained  his  gaze  far  along  its 
length,  but  without  seeing  signs  of  the  negro's  approach. 

"  Yes  ;  some  accident  has  befallen  Joe.  All  goes  wrong, 
all  is  fatal,  all  is  doomed ! "  He  groaned  in  despair  as  he 


THE     EXPLOSION.  45 

turned  and  retraced  his  steps  towards  the  old  "  Haunted 
Chapel."  As  he  drew  near  the  building,  he  was  startled  by 
the  furious  barking  of  his  little  deg. 

"  Poor  little  Nelly  has  worked  herself  up  into  hysterics 
again  at  the  door  of  that  vault,"  he  said  to  himself,  as  he 
quickened  his  pace  and  entered  the  building. 

He  found  it  in  the  possession  of  the  constables,  with  the 
sheriff  at  their  head.  Mr.  Benthwick,  with  an  expression 
on  his  face  oddly  made  up  of  triumph  and  compassion, 
advanced  to  meet  him,  saying : 

"  We  are  not  at  fault  now,  Mr.  Berners.  We  returned 
to-day  to  resume  our  search  through  these  mountains,  and 
late  this  afternoon,  as  we  were  returning  from  our  unsuccess 
ful  pursuit  of  the  burglars,  we  were  met  here  in  the  church 
yard  by  these  men." 

And  here  the  sheriff  pointed  to  Purley  and  Munson,  who 
were  standing  at  a  short  distance. 

"  They  told  us,"  proceeded  Mr.  Benthwick,"  that  Mrs. 
Berners,  with  your  assistance,  had  escaped  from  their 
custody." 

"  Eight  over  my  dead  body,  which  I  should  say,  my 
sleeping  body,"  put  in  Purley. 

"And  that  she  was  certainly  concealed  in  this  chapel,  as 
they  had  received  unquestionable  information  to  that  effect," 
added  Mr.  Beuthwick. 

"  Well,  sir,  if  you  find  her  here,  you  will  succeed  in  the 
search  far  better  than  I  have  done,"  replied  Lyon  Berners, 
grimly. 

"  We  have  found  you  here,  and  under  very  suspicious 
circumstances ;  so  we  will  take  leave  to  make  a  more 
thorough  search  than  we  did  yesterday,"  replied  the  sheriff. 

"  Have  you  tried  the  vault  ?  "  inquired  Purley. 

"  No ;  but  we  will  try  it  now.  She  may  be  concealed 
within  it,  after  all,"  said  Mr.  Benthwick.  And  seeing  the 
crowbar,  he  took  it  up  and  went  to  work  upon  that  immova- 


46  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

ble  door;  but  finding  it  so  fast,  he  threw  down  the  tool, 
saying : 

"  It  is  of  no  use  to  work  at  that  door  in  that  way,  and  it 
is  of  no  use  either  to  look  through  the  bars,  for  you  can  see 
nothing  but  black  darkness.  But,  Purley,  I  will  tell  you 
what  to  do.  Do  you  go  and  cut  the  most  resinous  knot  that 
you  can  find  on  the  nearest  pine  tree,  and  bring  it  to  me." 

Purley  started  off  in  a  hurry,  and  soon  returned  with  a 
pine  knot  fairly  soaked  with  turpentine. 

"Now,  then,"  said  Mr.  Benthwick,  as  he  took  the  torch 
from  the  hand  of  his  messenger.  "  I  think  this  will  throw 
some  light  into  the  darkness  below !  " 

And  he  applied  it  first  to  the  fire  in  the  aisle,  and  then  he 
carried  it,  flaming  high,  to  the  door  of  the  vault,  and  put 
ting  it  through  the  iron  bars,  let  it  drop  into  the  vault. 

It  was  lighted  up  in  an  instant,  and  the  sheriff  and  Pur 
ley  bent  down  to  look  through  the  grating  to  see  what  the 
interior  illumination  might  show  them. 

And  Lyon  Berners,  whose  anxiety  was  of  course  more 
intense  than  that  of  any  one  present,  elbowed  his  way 
through  the  crowd  to  get  nearer  the  door  of  the  vault. 

But  before  he  could  effect  his  purpose,  a  sound  of  thun 
der  burst  upon  the  air ;  the  solid  floor  upheaved ;  the  walls 
of  the  old  Haunted  Chapel  fell  in  a  heap  of  smoking  ruins  ; 
and  all  the  valley  and  the  mountain  tops  were  lighted  up 
with  the  flames  of  destruction. 


AFTER     THE      EXPLOSION.  47 


CHAPTER  IV. 

AFTEB    THE    EXPLOSION. 

Horror  wide  extends 
Her  desolate  domain  ! — THOMPSON. 

THE  thunder  of  the  explosion,  when  the  old  Haunted 
Chapel  was  blown  up,  was  heard  for  many  miles  around. 

It  burst  upon  the  unsheltered  wayfarers  like  the  crack  of 
doom  ! 

It  stunned  the  plantation  negroes  gathered  around  their 
cabin  fires ! 

It  startled  the  planters'  families  at  their  elegant  tea- 
tables  ! 

Travellers  paused  panic-stricken  on  the  road ! 

Home-dwellers,  high  and  low,  rushed  with  one  accord  to 
doors  and  windows  to  see  what  the  dreadful  matter  might 
be! 

Was  it  an  earthquake  ? 

Had  some  unsuspected  volcano  suddenly  burst  forth  in 
the  mountain  ?  Indeed  it  seemed  so ! 

Volumes  of  black  smoke  ascended  from  a  certain  point 
of  rocks,  filling  all  the  evening  air  with  the  suffocating  smell 
of  sulphur. 

There  was  a  pause  of  astonishment  among  the  people  for 
about  one  minute  only ;  and  then  commenced  a  general 
stampede  of  all  the  able-bodied  men  and  boys  from  a  circle 
of  several  miles  in  circumference  to  the  centre  of  attraction ; 
while  the  women  and  girls  waited  at  home  in  dread  sus 
pense  ! 

But  the  very  first  on  the  scene  of  the  catastrophe  was  a 
lamed  negro. 

Poor  Joe !  Just  as  his  master  had  surmised,  he  had  met 
with  an  accident.  He  had,  indeed,  reached  Black  Hall  in 


48  TRIED     FOR      HER     LITE. 

safety,  near  the  dawn  of  that  day ;  but  being  quite  ex 
hausted  with  twenty-four  hours  of  watching,  working,  and 
fasting,  he  succumbed  to  drowsiness,  fatigue,  and  famine. 
In  short,  he  ate  and  drank  and  slept. 

He  did  not  mean,  poor  faithful  creature,  to  do  more  than 
just  recruit  sufficient  strength  to  take  him  back,  with  the 
tools,  to  his  master. 

But  when  one,  under  such  circumstances,  surrenders  to 
sleep,  he  loses  all  control  over  himself  for  an  indefinite 
period  of  time.  Joe  slept  fast  and  long,  and  never  waked 
until  he  was  rudely  kicked  up  by  a  fellow-servant,  who 
demanded  to  know  how  he  came  to  be  sleeping  on  the  hay 
in  the  barn,  and  if  he  meant  to  sleep  forever. 

Joe  started  up,  at  first  confused  and  delirious,  but  after 
wards,  when  he  came  to  his  senses  and  found  that  it  was 
past  noon,  he  was  utterly  wretched  and  inconsolable.  He 
did  not  even  resent  the  rudeness  of  his  comrade,  in  kicking 
him  up  ;  but.  on  the  contrary,  meekly  thanked  him  for  his 
kindness  in  arousing  him. 

And  then  he  went  and  gathered  his  tools  together,  and 
saddled  his  horse,  and  without  waiting  for  bite  or  sup,  he  told 
his  mate  that  he  had  work  to  do  at  a  distance,  and  mounted 
and  rode  off  towards  the  ferry,  which  he  had  to  cross  to 
reach  the  river  road  on  the  other  side,  because,  with  the 
weight  of  iron  tools  he  carried,  he  could''  not  possibly  get 
over  the  ford. 

All  this  contributed  so  to  delay  Joe's  journey,  that  the 
sun  set  while  he  was  still  upon  the  river  road,  and  "the 
shades  of  night  were  falling  fast "  when  he  reached  the 
entrance  of  the  thicket  path  leading  to  the  Haunted 
Chapel. 

He  had  not  ridden  more  than  a  hundred  yards  up  this 
path,  before  the  thunder  of  the  explosion  burst  upon  his 
appalled  ears.  And  at  the  same  instant  his  affrighted 
horse,  with  a  violent  bound,  threw  him  to  the  earth,  jumped 
forward  and  fled  away. 


AFTER     THE      EXPLOSION.  49 

Amazed,  stunned,  bewildered  as  he  was,  Joe  did  not 
entirely  lose  his  senses.  When  recovered  a  little  from  the 
shock,  he  felt  himself  all  over  to  see  what  bones  were 
broken  ;  and  found  to  his  great  relief  that  all  were  sound. 

Then  he  got  upon  his  feet,  and  looked  about  him  ;  but  a 
"dense,  heavy,  black  vapor  was  settling  down  upon  the 
thicket,  hiding  all  things  from  his  view,  while  the  stifling 
fumes  of  brimstone  took  his  breath  away. 

"I'm !" — Joe  in  his  consternacion  swore  a  very 

profane  oath,  which  it  is  not  necessary  here  to  repeat — "  ef 
I  do  n't  b'leibe  as  de  Debbil  has  blowed  de  old  Haunted 
Chapel !  And  oh  !  my  Hebbenly  Marster !  ef  so,  what 
have  become  o'  Miss  Sybil  and  Marse  Lyon,  and  Nelly  ?  " 
he  cried  in  a  sudden  pang  of  terror  and  sorrow,  as  he  tried 
to  hurry  towards  the  scene  of  the  tragedy.  He  set  off  in  a 
run,  but  was  brought  up  short  by  a  sharp  severe  pain  in  his 
right  ancle. 

"  It's  sprained  !  Bress  de  Lord,  ef  it  an't  sprained  !  " 
he  cried,  drawing  up  and  caressing  his  injured  limb. 

"  It  an't  no  use  !  I  can 't  put  it  to  the  ground  no  more  !  " 
he  groaned. 

Then  standing  upon  his  left  foot  and  holding  the  other 
in  his  hand,  he  looked  around  and  saw  the  pick  lying 
among  the  scattered  tools,  that  had  fallen  from  his  hold 
when  the  horse  threw  him.  He  cautiously  bent  down  and 
took  up  the  pick,  and  reversed  it,  and  usiug  it  as  a  crutch, 
he  hobbled  on  through  the  thicket  towards  the  ruins  of  the 
old  chapel.  But  his  progress  was  so  slow  and  painful  that 
it  took  him  nearly  an  hour  to  reach  the  place. 

When  at  length  he  emerged  from  the  thicket  and  entered 
the  old  churchyard,  a  scene  of  devastation  met  his  view 
that  appalled  his  soul. 

"  Oh,  my  Lord !  "  he  said,  stopping  and  leaning  upon  his 
pick-crutch,  as  he  gazed  around,  "  what  an  awful  sight ! 
Joe,  you  are  like — somebody  among  the  ruins  of  some- 
3 


60  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

thing,"  he  added,  as  a  vague  classic  similitude  about  Scipio 
and  Carthage  flitted  through  his  half-dazed  brain. 

It  was  indeed  a  scene  of  horror  deep  enough  to  dismay 
the  stoutest  heart !  Nor  was  that  horror  less  overwhelming 
for  the  obscurity  that  enveloped  it.  The  Haunted  Chapel 
was  gone  ;  and  in  its  place  was  a  heap  of  blackened,  burn 
ing,  and  smoking  ruins,  with  here  and  there  the  arm  or  leg 
of  some  crushed  and  mutilated  victim  protruding  from  the 
mass.  And  in  strange  contrast  to  this  appalling  scene,  was 
a  poor  little  Skye  terrier,  preserved  from  destruction, 
Heaven  only  knows  how,  that  ran  snuffing  and  whining 
piteous ly  around  and  around  the  wreck. 

"  Come,  Nelly  !  pretty  Nelly  !  good  Nelly  !  "  called  Joe. 

The  Skye  terrier  left  off  circling  around  the  smouldering 
ruins,  and  bounded  towards  her  dusky  friend,  and  leaped 
upon  him  with  a  yelp  of  welcome  and  a  whine  of  sorrow. 

"  Oh,  Nelly  !  Nelly  !  what  has  happened  ?  "  cried  Joe. 

The  little  dog  howled  dismally  in  answer. 

"  Yes,  I  know  what  you  would  say.  I  understand.  The 
devil  has  blown  up  the  Haunted  Chapel,"  said  Joe. 

She  lifted  up  her  nose  and  her  voice  in  a  woe-begone 
howl  of  assent. 

"  Just  so ;  but  oh  !  Nelly  !  Nelly  Brown !  where  is  the 
master  and  the  mistress  ?  " 

She  answered  by  a  cry  of  agony,  and  ran  back  to  the 
ruins,  and  re-commenced  her  pawing  and  whining. 

"  Ah,  yes  !  just  so ;  buried  under  all  that  there,"  groaned 
Joe. 

But  Nelly  ran  back  to  him,  barking  emphatically,  and 
then  forward  to  the  ruins,  and  then,  seeing  that  he  still 
stood  there,  back  to  him  again,  with  the  most  eloquent 
barks,  that  seemed  to  assure  him  that  her  master  and  mis 
tress  were  under  the  mass,  and  at  length  to  ask  him  what 
was  the  use  of  his  being  a  man,  if  he  could  not  dig  them 
out. 


AFTER     THE     EXPLOSION.  51 

Never  did  man  and  dog  understand  each  other  letter. 
Joe  replied  to  Nelly  as  if  she  had  spoken  in  the  best  ap 
proved  English. 

"  I  know  it,  honey  !  I  know  they  are ;  they  are  there  !  " 
he  sobbed,  "but  you  see  I'm  crippled,  and  can't  do  nothing." 

But  the  little  Skye  terrier  could  not  comprehend  such  in- 
cornpetency  in  a  human  creature,  and  so  she  very  irration 
ally  and  irritatingly  continued  her  appeals  and  her  re 
proaches,  until  Joe  hobbled  up  to  the  heap  of  smoking  ruins 
to  take  a  nearer  view. 

The  first  thing  that  met  his  sight  was  the  sole  of  a  man's 
boot,  belonging  to  a  leg  protruding  from  the  mass. 

"  If  it  should  be  hizzen  !  Oh,  good  gracious !  if  it  should 
be  marster's  !  But  no,"  he  continued,  on  a  closer  examina 
tion  of  the  limb.  "  No !  there  is  a  spur  on  the  heel.  It 
isn't  hizzen.  No!  thank  goodness,  it  is  Master  Sheriff 
Benthwick's,  and  sarve  him  right  too." 

While  Joe  was  exulting,  either  wickedly  over  the  destruc 
tion  of  the  sheriff,  or  piously  over  the  possible  preservation 
of  his  master,  there  was  a  sound  of  crackling  footsteps 
through  the  thicket,  and  the  forerunners  of  the  approaching 
crowd  appeared  upon  the  scene. 

Among  them  was  Captain  Pendleton,  who,  recognizing 
the  figure  of  Joe  even  in  the  obscure  light,  strode  towards 
him,  eagerly  demanding : 

"  What  is  all  this  ?  How  did  it  happen  ?  Do  you 
know  ?  " 

"  Oh,  marse  Capping  Pendulum,  sir,  I 's  so  glad  you  'se 
come  ! "  cried  Joe,  on  the  verge  of  tears. 

"  But  how  did  this  happen  ?  "  impatiently  repeated  the 
captain. 

"  Oh,  sir,  do  n't  you  see  as  the  debbil  has  blowed  up  the 
Haunted  Chapel  and  my  young  mistess  and  marster  into  it 
all  this  time,"  sobbed  the  man. 

"  Good  Heaven  !  You  do  n't  mean  that,  Joe ! "  exclaimed 
Captain  Peudletou. 


62  TRIED      FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"Yes,  I  do,  sir;  worse  luck  I  which  you  can  see  for  your 
self,  as  even  poor  little  ignorant  Xelly  knows  it,"  wept  Joe. 

And  the  little  Skye  terrier,  as  if  to  confirm  the  negro's 
words,  ran  and  leaped  upon  the  captain,  whining  patheti 
cally,  and  then  ran  backward  and  forward  between  him  and 
the  heap  of  ruins,  as  if  to  impress  upon  his  mind  that  her 
dear  master  and  mistress  were  really  buried  there,  and  to 
implore  him  to  come  to  their  assistance. 

But  other  people  were  now  pouring  rapidly  in  upon  the 
scene  of  the  catastrophe. 

Exclamations  of  horror  and  dismay  were  uttered ;  then 
pine  knots  were  sought  and  lighted,  and  everybody  crowded 
around  the  ruins. 

"  There  are  human  being  buried  beneath  this  pile ;  for 
Heaven's  sake,  friends,  lose  no  time  ;  but  disperse  and  find 
tools  to  dig  this  away ! "  exclaimed  Captain  Pendleton, 
energetically. 

Several  of  the  by-standers  started  at  once  for  the  nearest 
farm-houses  to  procure  the  needful  tools. 

Captain  Pendleton  turned  to  Joe. 

"  Tell  me  now,"  he  said ;  "  how  came  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Berners  in  this  place?" 

Joe  related  all  that  he  knew  of  their  escape  from  the 
sheriff's  officers,  their  accidental  meeting  with  him,  their 
arrival  at  the  Haunted  Chapel,  the  mysterious  disappear, 
ance  of  Sybil,  the  visit  of  the  constables  and  militia-men  iu 
search  of  the  burglars ;  the  means  that  his  master  and  him 
self  took  to  discover  traces  of  Sybil  through  the  instinct  of 
her  little  dog ;  the  reasons  they  had,  through  the  behavior 
of  the  little  Skye  terrier,  to  believe  that  the  lady  had  been 
taken  down  into  the  vault  and  robbed  and  murdered ;  his 
own  departure  in  search  of  tools  to  take  up  the  flagstones 
over  the  vault,  and  finally  his  return  to  the  scene  of  action 
to  find  the  Haunted  Chapel  one  mass  of  ruins. 

"  When  I  left  marster  he  was  sitting  at  the  door  of  the 


AFTER     THE      EXPLOSION.  53 

vault,  where  we  thought  the  dead  body  of  my  poor  mur 
dered  j'oung  mistess  was  hid;  and  when  I  corned  back  I 
found  this  here!''  sobbed  Joe,  pointing  to  the  wreck. 

"  Good  heaven  !  m-y  man,  this  is  a  frightful  story  that  you 
tell  me !  Sit  yourself  down  on  the  ground,  and  give  me 
that  pick  which  you  are  using  for  a  crutch  !  I  must  go  to 
work  here,"  exclaimed  Captain  Pendleton,  taking  the  pick 
from  the  negro  and  beginning  to  dig  vigorously  at  the  mass 
of  fallen  stone  and  mortar. 

The  men  and  boys  who  had  gone  after  implements  now 
came  hurrying  back,  with  picks,  spades,  hoes,  rakes,  etc., 
over  their  shoulders. 

They  immediately  fell  to  work  with  a  zeal  and  energy 
inspired  by  curiosity  and  terror;  and  while  the  boys  held 
the  lighted  pine  knots  high  above  their  heads,  the  men  dug 
away  at  the  mass  with  all  their  might  and  main. 

It  was  a  wild  scene,  that  deep  glen ;  the  heap  of  smok 
ing  ruins  in  the  midst,  the  affrighted  crowd  of  workers 
around  it,  the  flaming  torches  held  on  high,  the  spectral 
gravestones  gleaming  here  and  there ;  the  whole  encircled 
by  dark,  towering  mountains,  and  canopied  by  a  murky, 
midnight  sky ! 

In  almost  dead  silence  the  fearful  work  went  on. 

The  first  body  exhumed  was  that  of  the  unfortunate 
Sheriff  Benthwick,  quite  dead.  It  was  borne  tenderly  off 
to  some  distance,  and  laid  down  on  a  bed  of  dried  leaves 
beneath  the  shelter  of  an  oak-tree. 

Then  four  other  bodies  were  dug  out  from  the  mass, 
among  them  that  of  the  bailiff  Purley.  And  these  were 
carried  and  laid  beside  that  of  the  sheriff. 

And  now,  though  the  workmen  dug  away  at  the  ruins  as 
vigorously  as  ever,  they  found  nothing  but  broken  timbers, 
stone,  and  mortar.  No  sign  of  Lyon  or  Sybil  Berners  was 
to  be  seen.  A  wild  hope  sprang  up  in  the  heart  of  Joe — a 
hope  that  in  some  miraculous  manner  his  young  master  and 


54  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

mistress  had  escaped  this  terrible  destruction — a  hope  that 
the  little  Skje  terrier  would  by  no  means  encourage,  for  she 
continued  to  run  around  the  ruins,  and  in  and  out  among 
the  legs  of  the  workmen,  to  the  serious  danger  of  her  own 
life  and  limbs,  and  to  bark  and  whine  and  paw,  and  assert 
in  every  emphatic  manner  a  little  brute  could  use,  that  her 
master  and  mistress  were  really  under  there  and  nowhere 
else. 

"  You  '11  drive  me  to  despair,  you  little  devil  of  a  dog ! 
You.'d  make  'em  there,  whether  they're  there  or  not,  and  I 
tell  you  they  an't  there  ! "  cried  Joe  in  desperation. 

But  Nelly  held  to  her  own  opinion,  and  clamorously 
maintained  it. 

She  was  soon  justified.  The  workmen,  in  course  of  their 
digging,  removed  quite  a  hill  of  plaster,  stone,  and  broken 
timbers,  and  came  upon  a  leaning  fragment  of  the  back  wall, 
inclined  at  an  angle  of  about  forty-five  degrees,  and  sup 
ported  in  its  place  by  a  portion  of  the  altar  and  the  iron 
door  of  the  vault,  which  had  stood  the  shock  of  the  ex 
plosion. 

Under  this  leaning  wall,  and  completely  protected  by  it, 
lay  two  men,  scorched,  bruised,  stunned,  insensible,  but  still 
living. 

They  were  Lyon  Berners  and  Robert  Munson.  Amid 
the  surprise  and  satisfaction  of  the  crowd,  they  were  care 
fully  lifted  out  and  laid  upon  the  ground,  while  every  simple 
means  at  hand  were  used  for  their  restoration,  while  the 
little  Skye  terrier  ran  round  and  round  with  yelps  of  joy  and 
triumph,  which  seemed  to  say  : 

"  I  told  you  so  !  and  next  time  you  '11  believe  me  !  " 

"Friends,"  said  Captain  Pendleton,  addressing  some  of 
the  men  who  were  still  working  away  at  the  ruins,  "  there 
is  no  use  in  your  digging  longer !  You  may  see  from  the 
very  position  of  that  wall  and  the  aspect  of  everything  else 
here,  that  there  can  be  no  more  bodies  among  the  ruins. 


AFTER     THE     EXPLOSION.  55 

You  can  do  nothing  to  bring  the  dead  to  life  ;  but  you  can 
do  much  to  save  the  living  from  death.  Hurry  some  of  you 
to  the  nearest  house  and  bring  a  couple  of  shutters,  and 
narrow  mattresses  also,  if  possible !  These  men  must  be 
taken  to  my  house,  which  is  nearest,  to  receive  medical 
attention." 

As  the  captain  spoke,  a  dozen  workmen  threw  down  their 
tools  and  started  on  the  errand. 

Old  Joe  hobbled  up  to  the  spot,  where  Captain  Pendleton, 
sat  supporting  the  head  of  Mr.  Berners  on  his  knee,  while 
little  Nelly  jumped  around,  now  in  a  hysterical  state  be 
tween  joy  and  fear ;  for  she  saw  at  last,  that  though  her 
master  was  rescued,  he  was  not  yet  safe.  On  seeing  Joe 
come  up,  she  jumped  upon  him  with  an  eager  bark  which 
seemed  to  say  : 

"  You  see  I  was  right !     Here  he  is,  sure  enough  ! " 

"Yes,  Nelly,  that's  all  very  well  as  far  as  it  goes.  But 
where's  the  young  mistess,  Nelly;  where's  Miss  Sybil?" 
sorrowfully  inquired  Joe. 

The  little  dog  looked  up  in  his  face  with  a  bark  of  intelli 
gence  and  distress,  and  then  broke  away  and  ran  in  among 
the  ruins. 

u  There  still  is  she  ! "  exclaimed  Joe,  and  he  hobbled 
after  the  little  Skye  terrier  to  the  place  where  the  leaning 
fragment  of  the  wall  was  supported  by  the  iron  door  of  the 
vault. 

"  They  must  dig  into  that  vault.  I'll  never  be  contented 
until  they  dig  into  that  vault;  and  I'll  speak  to  Capping 
Pendulum  about  it,"  said  Joe,  and  he  hobbled  back  to  the 
spot  where  that  gentleman  still  sat  supporting  the  head  of 
his  wounded  friend. 

"  Sir,  Marse  Capping,"  said  Joe,  respectfully  taking  off 
his  hat,  "  you  heerd  what  I  tell  you  'bout  marster  and  uje 
having  of  good  reasons  to  s'pose  as  my  young  mistress  was 
robbed  and  murdered  and  hid  into  that  vault  ?  " 


66  TRIED     FOR     HER      LIFE. 

"  Yes,"  gravely  assented  the  captain. 

"  Well,  sir,  Marse  Capping,  Nelly  do  stick  to  it  as  she  is 
down  there.  And,  sir,  I  shall  neber  feel  satisfied  into  my 
own  mind,  till  the  men  dig  away  all  the  rubbish  and  lay 
open  '  the  secrets  of  that  there  prisin  house.'  " 

"  Joe,  it  shall  be  done,  if  only  for  the  satisfaction  of  }Tour 
faithful  heart,"  said  the  captain. 

"  And  for  Nelly's  too,  sir.  See  how  she  stands  and  looks 
up  into  your  face,  waiting  for  you  to  'cide,  just  as  if  she  un 
derstood  all  that  I  was  a  axing  of  you,  which  of  course  she 
do." 

%<  Not  a  doubt  of  it,"  assented  the  captain. 

At  that  moment  the  messengers  who  had  been  dispatched 
for  shutters  and  mattresses,  returned  with  the  articles,  and 
Bet  them  down  before  Captain  Pendleton. 

"  Now,  my  men,"  said  the  captain,  "  arrange  one  of  the 
mattresses  upon  the  shutter,  and  assist  me  to  lay  my  wounded 
friend  upon  it." 

Head}'  hands  obeyed  this  direction,  and  the  faintly  breath 
ing  body  of  Lyon  Berners  was  laid  down  in  comparative 
ease. 

The  same  service  was  performed  for  poor  young  Munson, 
•who  was  badly  injured,  and  also  quite  unconscious. 

"  Now,  my  men,  this  poor  negro  has  reason  to  believe  that 
the  body  of  his  mistress  may  be  found  in  the  bottom  of  that 
vault ;  I  want  you  therefore  to  go  to  work  as  fast  as  you  can, 
and  remove  all  the  rubbish  that  has  fallen  into  it,  even  down 
to  the  floor,"  was  the  next  order  given  by  the  captain. 

And  the  men  seized  their  picks  and  resumed  their  dig 
ging  with  renewed  energy. 

"  Joe,  stay  here  by  your  master  and  this  poor  fellow  ;  and 
occasionally  wet  their  lips  with  this  brand}'  and  water,  while 
I  go  and  see  to  the  clearing  out  of  the  vault,"  said  Captain 
Pendleton  ;  and  leaving  Joe  in  charge  of  the  wounded  men, 
he  followed  the  workmen  to  the  ruins  to  urge  them  to.  the 
greatest  expedition,  adding  as  a  reason  for  haste  ; 


AFTEE     THE      EXPLOSION.  57 

"  It  is  time  that  Mr.  Berners  and  Munson  should  be 
taken  to  my  house,  and  placed  in  bed,  to  receive  proper 
medical  attention.  But  I  cannot  consent  to  leave  this  spot 
even  to  attend  to  them,  until  I  find  out  whether  the  body 
of  Mrs.  Berners  is  really  under  the  ruins. 

Thus  exhorted,  the  men  worked  with  tremendous  energy, 
and  soon  dug  away  all  the  pile  of  rubbish,  and  laid  the 
depths  of  the  vault  open  to  the  torch  light.  But  there  was 
nothing  to  be  seen  but  the  damp  and  slimy  walls  and  floor, 
and  the  little  heaps  of  broken  stones  and  fallen  plaster  in 
the  corners. 

"  Not  there  !  Well,  then,  I  did  n't  know  whether  I  was 
a-hoping  or  a  fearing  to  find  her  there,  or  whether  I  'm 
glad  or  sorry  now  at  not  finding  her  there,"  said  Joe,  who 
in  his  excessive  anxiety  had  at  length  deserted  his  post  be 
side  the  wounded  men,  and  hobbled  up  to  the  opened  vault. 

"  You  should  be  glad,  for  now  you  have  no  evidence  of 
her  death  ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  good  reason  to  hope  that 
she  is  somewhere  alive  and  well,"  said  Captain  Pendleton. 

"  That 's  so  too,  Marster  Capping.  But  only  see  what  a 
little  story-teller  Nelly  is  !  " 

"  It  was  her  master  she  scented,  and  she  found  him." 

"  Yes,  but  she  tried  to  make  me  believe  as  her  mistess 
was  down  there  also.  And  look  how  she  sticks  to  the 
story  !  There  she  is  down  there  still  running  round  and 
round  like  she  was  crazy,  and  a  snuffing  at  all  the  cor 
ners  ! " 

"  Never  mind  Nelly,  Joe.  Come  along  now.  We  must 
take  your  master  and  the  other  poor  fellow  on  to  my  house. 
It  should  have  been  done  before  this.  I  am  sorry  for 
this  delay,  which  has  been  so  fruitless,"  said  Captain  Pen 
dleton,  as  he  led  the  way  back  to  the  spot  where  he  had  left 
the  injured  victims  of  the  explosion. 

"  Marster  Capping,"  said  Joe,  as  he  hobbled  after  Pen- 
dletou,  "I  have  got  two  horses  tied  up  there  into  the 


58  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

woods,  ef  they  have  n't  been  frighted  at  the  blowing  up,  and 
done  broke  loose ;  and  I  have  got  a  wagon  down  by  the 
roadside,  if  so  be  as  you  would  like  to  convey  my  wounded 
marster  and  the  t'other  gemplan  that  a  way." 

"  No,  Joe  ;  the  jolting  of  a  wagon  might  be  fatal  to 
them  in  their  present  condition.  They  must  be  carried 
carefully  on  shutters.  But  the  wagon  will  be  just  the  thing 
to  convey  the  dead  bodies  to  Blackville,  where  an  inquest 
must  he  held  upon  them,"  answered  the  captain. 

And  he  requested  some  of  the  men  present  to  go  in 
search  of  the  horses,  and  to  harness  them  to  the  wagon  for 
the  required  services  to  the  dead,  while  others  he  detained 
to  help  in  care  of  the  wounded. 

When  the  shutters  upon  which  Lyon  Berners  and  Rob 
ert  Munson  lay  were  each  carefully  lifted  by  the  hands  of 
four  men,  and  the  little  procession  was  about  to  start,  Cap 
tain  Pendleton  called  to  Joe,  saying : 

"  You  must  go  with  me  to  have  your  limb  looked  to,  and 
also  to  be  with  your  master,  who  will  need  familiar  faces 
near  him  when  he  comes  to  himself." 

"  Yes,  sir ;  Marse  Capping  Pendulum,  I  will  go.  But 
oh,  my  Hebbenly  Lord,  what  will  I  have  to  tell  my  poor 
marster,  when  he  opens  his  eyes  and  looks  at  me  ?  "  cried 
Joe,  bursting  into  tears. 

"  Come,  come,  be  a  man  !  Stop  howling,  and  do  your 
duty — which  is  now  to  follow  your  master,"  expostulated 
the  captain. 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  '11  do  it ;  but  I  must  get  Nelly  fust.  I 
could  n't  leave  her,  poor  little  dog,  here  to  pine  away  and 
die  in  the  vault,"  sighed  Joe,  who  then  lifting  his  voice, 
cried,  "Nelly!  Nelly!" 

But  no  dog  answered.  So  Joe  hobbled  his  way  back  to 
the  opening  of  the  vault,  and  looking  down  into  it,  ex 
claimed  : 

"  Bless  my  two  eyes  !  ef  there  she  an't  a-whiuiu  and  a- 


AFTER     THE      EXPLOSION.  59 

pawin'  and  a-sarchin'  as  persemoniously  as  ever ! — Nelly ! 
Nelly ! " 

At  the  sound  of  his  voice  the  little  terrier  ran  up  from 
the  vault,  and  leaped  upon  him. 

Joe  stooped  and  picked  her  up  in  his  arms,  and  hugged 
her  affectionately  to  his  bosom,  as  he  said : 

"  You  see  it 's  no  use  stayin'  here,  my  poor  little  dog. 
Our  mistess  an't  uowheres  about  here." 

Nelly  was  however  of  a  different  opinion,  and  she  whined 
and  struggled  to  be  released  ;  and  when  Joe  held  her  faster, 
she  growled  and  threatened  him  with  her  teeth. 

"  Can  't  help  it,  my  little  darling.  Our  mistess  an't  no 
where  round,  and  it  an't  no  use  your  staying  here  to  grieve 
yourself  to  death  among  the  ruins.  You  v'e  got  to  go 
along  with  me — OWTCH  !  you  little  devil,  you  !  "  exclaimed 
Joe,  suddenly  breaking  off  in  his  discourse,  and  dropping 
the  dog ;  who,  having  found  that  all  her  efforts  to  release 
herself  had  been  in  vain,  had  made  her  little  teeth  meet  in 
the  fleshy  part  of  the  negro's  hand. 

"  Was  there  ever  sich  a  vicious  little  beast  ?  "  cried  Joe, 
as  he  hobbled  away,  sucking  the  blood  from  his  wounded 
member.  "  Now  she  may  stay  there  for  me.  I  do  n't  care 
ef  she  do  pine  herself  to  death,  agrawatin'  little  brute ! " 

And  so,  grumbling  and  growling,  he  hobbled  after  the 
little  procession  that  was  now  well  on  its  way  through  the 
thicket. 

Meanwhile  little  Nelly  ran  back  into  the  vault,  and  re 
commenced  her  irrational  investigations. 

The  hours  of  the  night  wore  on.  The  men  who  had 
been  sent  in  search  of  the  horses,  with  great  difficulty  found 
and  caught  them,  and  brought  them  back  to  the  scene  of 
the  explosion.  The  dead  bodies  were  bound  upon  their 
bucks,  and  they  were  led  through  the  thicket  to  the  road, 
where  the  empty  wagon  was  waiting.  As  there  were  five 
Loilies  and  but  two  horses,  and  as  only  one  body  could  be 


60  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

bound  upon  one  horse  at  a  time,  it  was  necessary  to  make 
three  trips  through  the  thicket,  before  they  could  all  be  got 
upon  the  wagon.  So  it  was  a  work  of  time  and  trouble  to 
remove  all  the  dead  from  the  scene  of  the  catastrophe.  At 
length,  however,  the  last  body  was  bound  upon  the  last 
horse  and  led  away  by  the  last  man  that  left  the  spot. 

And  of  all  the  living  crowd  that  had  filled  the  church 
yard  and  surrounded  the  ruin,  none  was  left  but  the  little 
Skye  terrier  Nelly,  who  was  still  at  work  in  the  vault. 

What  was  she  doing  ? 

She  had  concentrated  her  attention  and  her  energies 
upon  one  spot — a  moderate  sized  heap  of  densely  packed 
rubbish  in  one  corner.  She  was  scratching  away  at  this 
heap ;  she  had  already  burrowed  a  hole  of  some  depth  ; 
and  still  she  scratched  away,  with  all  her  might  and  main, 
until  her  strength  failed  ;  and  then  she  sat  down  on  her 
hind  quarters  and  panted  until  she  recovered  her  breath  ; 
and  then  she  re-commenced  and  scratched  away  for  dear  life 
until  something  fell  on  the  other  side,  and  with  a  bark  and 
bound  of  joy,  she  leaped  through  the  aperture  and  ran 
snuffing  along  the  damp  ground. 

EUBEKA  ! !  the  little  Skye  terrier  had  discovered  what 
human  intelligence  had  failed  to  do  !  She  had  found  the 
secret  subterranean  passage,  and  now  be  sure  she  will  find 
her  mistress. 


THEROBBERS       CAVE.  61 

CHAPTER  V. 
THE  ROBBERS'  CAVE. 

There  *s  ae  thing  yet ;  there  '»  twa  things  yet, 

To  brag  on  that  ye  know  ; 
They  never,  never  failed  a  friend. 

And  never  feared  a  foe. — NICOLL. 

WE  left  Sybil  sleeping  on  her  sylvan  couch,  in  the  cav 
ern  chamber  of  her  nameless  hostess.  She  slept  on  as  they 
sleep  who,  being  completely  conquered  by  mental  and 
bodily  fatigue,  surrender  unconditionally  to  Nature's  great 
restorer. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  she  awoke,  much  refreshed  in  mind 
and  body,  though  at  first  somewhat  confused  as  to  her 
"  local  habitation."  But  the  voice  of  her  strange  hostess 
at  once  restored  her  memory  and  self-possession. 

"  You  have  slept  long  and  well,"  said  the  girl.  "  I  have 
been  in  here  half  a  dozen  times  at  least  to  look  at  you,  and 
always  found  you  fast  asleep.  You  never  even  changed 
your  position.  I  think  you  must  feel  much  better." 

"  I  feel  very  well,  thank  you,  if  only  I  could  hear  from 
my  husband,"  replied  Sybil. 

"  Always  the  same  subject !  that  is  stupid  and  tiresome. 
But  I  can  tell  you  about  j^our  husband.  He  is  just  now  at 
the  Haunted  Chapel,  waiting  for  the  constables  to  go  away, 
so  that  he  may  resume  his  search  for  you." 

"  Poor  Lyon  !     But  how  do  you  know  this  ?  " 

"  Moloch,  who  has  just  come  in,  told  me." 

"  '  Moloch  ! '  You  have  mentioned  that  name  several 
times.  Who  is  Moloch  ?  " 

"  The  lieutenant  of  the  band.  Belial  is  the  adjutant. 
Satan  is  the  captain,  but  we  seldom  see  him.  He  is  a  very 
fine  gentleman,  of  the  very  first  society.  I  have  no  doubt 
that  yon  have  met  him  often  in  the  drawing-rooms  of 
wealth  and  fashion. 


62  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

"  Good  Heaven  !  girl,  what  story  is  this  that  you  are 
telling  me?" 

"  The  very  truth.  Satan  is  a  gentleman.  Belial  also  is 
no  stranger  to  good  company.  Hem  !  they  were  both  at 
your  masquerade." 

"Both  at — !"  gasped  Sybil,  losing  her  breath  in  aston 
ishment. 

"  Your  masquerade !  Yes,  for  I  tell  you  that  they  are 
both  men  of  fashion  and  pleasure.  As  for  poor  old  Moloch, 
he  is  just  what  he  seems — a  rude,  rugged  robber !  And 
then  there  is  Vulcan." 

"  But  who  are  these  men  ?  "  inquired  Sybil,  recovering 
her  lost  breath. 

"  I  told  you.  Gentlemen  in  the  drawing-room  !  Kob- 
bers  on  the  highway." 

"  But  why  do  you  give  them  such  diabolical  names  ?  " 

"  Because  they  are  devils,  each  in  his  way !  Moloch  is  a 
brutal  and  ferocious  devil ;  Belial  is  a  smooth,  deceitful 
devil ;  and  Satan  is  an  intellectual  and  commanding  devil." 

"  What  are  their  right  names  ?  " 

"  It  would  be  hard  to  tell !  Each  one  having  a  score  of 
aliases  at  his  disposal." 

"  I  hope  I  shall  not  be  obliged  to  see  any  of  these 
wretches  ! "  imprudently  exclaimed  Sybil. 

"  They  are  devils,  not  wretches,  if  I  know  them  and 
know  the  meaning  of  words !  But  reflect,  madam,  that  to 
these  wretches,  as  you  call  them,  you  owe  your  liberty  and 
perhaps  your  life,"  said  the  elfin-like  hostess,  resentfully. 

"  My  liberty  !     And  here  I  am  a  captive  among  you." 

"  Only  for  a  time  ;  only  until  we  can  place  you  in  perfect 
safety  on  a  foreign  shore.  And  that  we  are  sworn  to  do. 
And  is  not  this  comparatively  honorable  captivity  j  better 
than  the  degrading  one  of  the  county  jail  ?  " 

Sybil  paled  and  shuddered  through  all  her  frame  as  sh* 
answered  : 


THE     ROBBERS       CAVE.  63 

"  I  should  be  grateful  for  all  this — but — but — my  hus 
band  ! " 

"  Oh,  bother,  there  it  is  again  !  Always  the  same  mew  I 
If  there  's  anything  in  the  world  makes  me  feel  ill,  it  is  a 
love-sick  woman  ! "  exclaimed  the  strange  girl.  But  her 
short-lived  anger  quickly  disappeared,  and  holding  out  her 
tiny  brown  hand  to  her  guest,  she  said: 

"  Come,  get  up  and  wash  !  There  is  some  fresh  water 
and  clean  towels.  And  there  is  a  change  of  clothing,  if  you 
wish  to  have  it.  And  here  am  I,  to  serve  as  your  lady's 
maid.  And  when  you  are  dressed,  there  will  be  a  dinner 
readj7  for  you,  of  which  I  may  say  that  the  Govenor  of  the 
State  will  not  sit  down  to  a  better  one  to-day." 

Sybil  gave  her  hand  in  token  of  reconciliation,  and  then 
arose  from  her  couch  of  leaves.  Very  glad  was  she  of  the 
opportunity  of  washing  and  changing  her  dress  ;  for  of  all 
the  petty  privations  that  were  mixed  up  with  her  great 
troubles,  she  felt  most  the  want  of  fresh  water  and  clean 
clothes. 

The  girl  waited  on  her  kindly  and  skilfully.  And  Sybil 
would  have  been  well  pleased  had  she  not,  in  taking  up  one 
of  the  fresli  damask  towels,  saw  on  it  the  initials  of  her 
friend  Beatrix  Pendletou.  She  held  it  up  to  the  view  of 
her  hostess,  and  looked  inquiringly. 

"  Yes,  to  be  sure !  we  wanted  face  towels,  and  they 
brought  away  a  dozen  or  so  of  them  from  a  house  they 
recently  visited.  But  you  cannot  help  it.  I  advise  you  to 
make  the  best  of  everything,"  said  the  girl,  answering  the 
look. 

Sybil  said  not  a  word  in  reply ;  but  she  thought  within 
herself,  "  I  am  forced  to  consort  with  thieves,  and  to  use 
their  stolen  goods  ;  but  I  will  profit  by  nothing  which  I 
shall  not  make  good  to  the  owner ;  and  so  as  soon  as  I  shall 
be  freed,  I  will  privately  send  Miss  Pendleton  a  fourfold 
compensation." 


64  TRIED      FOR      HER     LIFE. 

And  thus,  having  satisfied  her  conscience,  Sybil  took  her 
hostess'  advice,  and  made  "  the  best  of  everything." 

When  she  was  thoroughly  renovated  by  a  complete 
change  of  clothing,  every  article  of  which  she  recognized  as 
the  property  of  Miss  Pendleton,  her  strange  hostess  con 
ducted  her  into  the  spacious  and  beautiful  cavern  that  has 
been  already  described. 

There  was  a  large  round  table  set  in  the  middle  of  the 
floor,  covered  with  a  fine  white  damask  cloth,  and  furnished 
with  a  heterogeneous  service  of  the  richest  silver  plate,  the 
most  delicate  Sevres  china  and  the  coarsest  earthen  ware 
and  rudest  cutlery.  There  were  plates  laid  for  about  a 
dozen  persons.  Around  the  table  were  seats  as  miscellane 
ous  in  quality  as  was  the  service ;  there  were  three-legged 
stools,  stumpy  logs  of  wood  set  on  end,  one  very  large  stone, 
and  one  elegant  piano  chair. 

"  We  always  eat  our  great  meal  of  the  day  in  this  place. 
You  would  call  it  dinner;  we  call  it  supper,  but  it  is  all  the 
same,"  said  the  girl. 

"  Oh  !  "  exclaimed  Sybil,  looking  in  dismay  at  the  many 
plates — "  Oh  !  have  I  got  to  meet  all  these  horrid  men  ?  " 

"  Yes,  my  lady  !  You  must  meet  these  horrid  men  who 
have  saved  you  !  They  do  not  often  have  the  honor  of  a 
Iad3''s  company  to  supper,  and  they  will  not  dispense  with 
yours  now,"  replied  the  elfin  hostess,  sarcastically. 

A  shudder  ran  through  Sybil's  frame  ;  but  she  rallied  all 
her  strength  to  resist  the  creeping  terror. 

"  These  thieves  are  men,  after  all,"  she  said  to  herself. 
"  They  are  not  beasts  nor  devils,  as  their  companion  calls 
them  ;  they  are  human  beings,  why  should  I  fear  them  ?  " 
And  she  spoke  very  cheerfully  to  her  hostess,  inquiring  : 

"  When  do  you  expect  your  companions  in  ?  " 

"  They  drop  in  at  any  time  in  the  evening.  Some  of 
them  will  be  here  soon,  and  then  we  will  have  supper." 

The  darkening  of  the  cave  now  indicated  that  the  sun 


THE     ROBBERS*      CAVE.  65 

was  setting.  And  soon  the  wild  hostess  clapped  her  hands 
and  called  in  her  pale  attendant  to  light  up  the  cavern. 
And  the  phantom  vanished  for  a  few  moments,  and  then 
returned  with  two  tall  silver  candlesticks,  supporting  two 
such  large  wax  candles  that  Sj'bil  saw  at  a  glance  that  they 
must  have  been  stolen  from  the  altar  of  a  Catholic  chapel. 
And  she  shivered  again  at  perceiving  that  she  was  the 
guest  of  the  worst  of  outlaws — sacrilegious  church-robbers  ! 
But  soon  her  attention  was  attracted  by  the  splendor  of  the 
scene  around,  when  the  stalactite  walls  of  the  cavern, 
lighted  up  by  the  great  candles,  emitted  millions  of  pris 
matic  rays  of  every  brilliant  hue,  as  if  they  were  encrusted 
with  diamonds,  rubies,  emeralds,  sapphires,  amethysts,  to 
pazes,  and  carbuncles,  all  of  the  purest  fire. 

"Splendid,  is  it  not?  What  palace  chamber  can  com 
pare  to  ours  ?  "  inquired  the  girl,  on  observing  the  evident 
admiration  with  which  her  guest  gazed  upon  the  scene. 

Before  Sybil  had  time  to  reply  there  was  the  heavy 
trampling  of  feet  near  at  hand,  and  the  next  moment  four 
rough  looking  men  entered  the  cave. 

Involuntarily  Sybil  shrank  closer  to  her  hostess,  as  they 
passed  near  her.  But  not  one  of  them  either  did  or  said 
anything  to  alarm  or  offend  her.  Each  one,  in  his  turn, 
gruffly  greeted  her  by  nodding,  as  he  pulled  off  his  hat  and 
threw  it  into  a  corner,  and  then  seated  himself  at  the 
table. 

The  elfin  girl  clapped  her  hands,  and  when  her  attendant 
appeared,  she  ordered  that  supper  should  be  immediately 
brought  in. 

Meantime  Sybil  furtively  observed  the  four  robbers,  but 
one  of  them  especially  fascinated  her  gaze,  with  something 
of  the  terrible  fascination  that  the  boa-constrictor  is  said  to 
exercise  upon  the  beautiful  birds  of  the  Brazilian  forest. 

He  was  a  great  red-haired  and  red-bearded  giant,  whose 
large  limbs  and  coarse  features  had  well  earned  for  him  tho 
4 


66  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

nick-name  of  "  Moloch  ;  "  and  Moloch,  Sybil  instinctively 
knew  this  man  to  be.  The  other  three  were  ordinary,  hir 
sute,  dirty  ruffians,  upon  whom  she  scarcely  bestowed  a 
glance.  Her  eyes  continually  reverted  to  Moloch,  from 
whom  she  could  not  long  keep  them.  He  was  huge,  ugly, 
brutal,  ferocious  ;  but  he  commanded  attention,  if  only  from 
the  power  that  was  within  him. 

But  what  terrified  S}'bil  the  most  was  this — that  her  own 
fascinated  eyes  at  length  attracted  his,  and  he  looked  at  her 
with  a  devouring  gaze  that  made  her  eyelids  fall  and  her 
very  heart  sink  within  her. 

The  two  women — the  dark  and  shrivelled  old  Hecate, 
and  the  pale,  cold  Proserpine — now  brought  in  the  supper. 
And  as  the  elfin  hostess  had  declared,  a  more  luxurious 
meal  did  not  grace  the  table  of  the  State's  Governor  that 
day.  There  were  green-turtle  soup,  rock  fish,  ham,  wild 
turkey,  and  partridges,  with  every  variety  of  vegetables  and 
of  condiments.  And  there  were  pies,  puddings,  custards, 
and  pastries  of  every  description.  And  jellies,  jams,  and 
fresh  and  preserved  fruits,  of  every  sort.  And  there  were 
priceless  wines,  and  fragant  coffee  and  tea.  All  these  luxu 
ries  were  placed  at  once  upon  the  supper  table,  or  a  side 
table  in  full  view  of  the  company. 

"  We  have  no  printed  bill  of  fare,"  laughed  Sybil's 
strange  hostess  ;  "  but  the  fare  itself  is  before  you  ! " 

"  Let  the  lady  be^seated  in  the  place  of  honor,"  growled 
Moloch,  glowering  at  Sybil  with  his  dreadful  eyes. 

"  Which  means  the  piano  stool,  I  suppose,"  said  the 
strange  hostess,  taking  Sybil  by  the  hand,  and  leading  her 
to  the  seat  in  question, 

She  suffered  herself  to  be  put  into  it ;  but  the  next  in 
stant  she  was  horrified  by  the  insolence  of  Moloch,  who  de 
liberately  arose  from  Irs  seat  and  came  around  and  placed 
himself  beside  her,  and  laid  his  great  hand  upon  her  shoul 
der. 


THE    ROBBER  S'      CAVE.  67 

"  You  are  handsome,"  he  said  "  Do  you  know  it  ? 
But  of  course  you  do.  The  swells  have  told  you  so  a  many 
times." 

"  Do  n't  touch  me  !  "  said  Sybil,  shrinking  from  him. 

"  Now  do  n't  put  on  airs.  You  're  one  of  us,  you  know, 
and  so  we  '11  'fend  you  to  the  last  drop  of  blood  in  our 
weins.  Only  do  n't  put  on  airs  ;  but  be  kind  to  them  as  are 
kind  to  you,"  growled  the  brute. 

"  But  take  your  hand  away — please  do.  I  cannot  bear 
it !  "  cried  Sybil,  shrinking  farther  off  still. 

"  Why,  now,  if  you  only  knowed  what  this  here  hand 
have  done  in  your  sarvice,  you  'd  fondle  on  to  it,  instead  o' 
flinging  it  off  like  it  was  a  wasp,"  coaxed  the  ruffian,  steal 
ing  his  arm  around  her  neck. 

But  Sybil,  with  a  sudden  and  violent  gesture,  cast  it  off, 
and  started  to  her  feet,  seizing  the  knife  beside  her  as  a 
weapon  of  defence. 

"Lord  bless  your  pretty  little  soul,  what's  the  good  of 
that  ?  Why,  when  I  was  a  lad,  I  always  liked  to  tease  the 
kittens  best  that  spit  and  scratched  and  fit  the  most ! 
That  onty  makes  me  like  you  better.  Come  now,  sit  down 
alongside  o'  me,  and  let 's  be  good  friends,"  said  the  ruf 
fian,  th-rowiug  his  arms  around  Sybil,  and  forcing  her  into 
her  seat. 

"  Stop  that,  you  devilish  beast !  Let  the  lady  alone  !  " 
cried  Sybil's  nameless  hostess,  in  a  voice  of  authority. 

"  Do  n't  be  jealous,  my  darling,"  replied  Moloch,  tighten 
ing  his  clasp  around  Sybil's  waist. 

"  Men !  why  do  n't  you  interfere  ?  He  is  rude  to  the 
lady  !  "  cried  the  girl,  appealing  to  the  others. 

"  We  never  meddle  between  other  men  and  their  sweet 
hearts  Do  we,  mates  ?  "  called  out  one. 

"  No,  no,  no  !  "  answered  the  others. 

"  Oh,  if  Satan  were  here  !  "  cried  the  girl  in  despair. 

"  SATAN  is  HERE  ! "  responded  a  voice  close  by. 


68  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIPE. 

And  the  robber  captain  stood  among  them  as  if  he  had 
risen  from  the  earth  ! 

Moloch  dropped  Sybil,  and  cowered  in  the  most  abject 
manner. 

Sybil  looked  up,  and  turned  cold  from  head  to  foot ;  for 
in  the  handsome,  stately,  graceful  form  of  the  brigand 
chief,  she  recognized  the  finished  gentleman  who,  in  the 
character  of  "  Death,"  had  danced  with  her  at  her  own 
Mask  ball,  and — the  probable  murderer  of  Rosa  Blondelle  I 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE   BOBBER    CHIEFTAIN. 

He  was  the  mildest  mannered  man 
That  erer  scuttled  ship,  or  cut  a  throat  \ 
With  such  true  breeding  of  a  gentleman. 
You  nerer  could  divine  his  real  thought; 
Pity  he  loved  adventurous  life's  variety, 
He  was  so  great  a  loss  to  good  society, — BTBOS. 

WHILE  the  walls  of  the  cavern  seemed  wheeling  around 
Sybil,  the  robber  captain  calmly  came  up  to  her,  lifted  his 
hat,  and  said : 

"  Spirit  of  Fire,  I  am  happy  to  welcome  you  to  your  own 
appropriate  dwelling  place.  Behold  !  " 

And  he  waived  his  hat  around  towards  the  stalactite 
walls  and  ceiling  of  the  cavern,  now  burning,  sparkling, 
blazing,  in  the  reflected  light  of  the  candles. 

"  DEATH  !  "  uttered  Sybil,  under  her  suspended  breath. 

«  Yes,  Death  !  I  told  you,  Spirit,  that  Death  and  Fire 
were  often  allies  !  But  now,  as  we  are  no  longer  masquera 
ding,  permit  me,  Mrs.  Berners,  to  present  myself  to  you  as 
Captain  Inconnu,"  he  said,  with  another  and  a  deeper  bow. 

"That  name  tells  me  nothing,"  replied  Sybil. 

"What  name  does  more?'''  inquired  the  stranger;  and 


THE      ROBBER      CHIEFTAIN.  69 

then,  without  expecting  an  answer,  he  turned  to  Moloch, 
and  said  in  his  smoothest  tones  : 

"  Be  so  good  as  to  give  me  this  seat,  sir." 

But  Sybil  saw  that  the  giant  turned  pale  and  trembled 
like  the  fabled  mountain  in  labor,  as  he  left  the  seat  by  her 
side,  and  slunk  into  another  at  some  distance ;  and  she  felt 
far  more  fear  of  the  graceful  "  Captain  Inconnu,"  who  now 
placed  himself  beside  her,  and  behaved  with  so  much  defer 
ence,  than  she  had  felt  of  the  brutal  "  Moloch,"  who  had 
treated  her  with  the  rudest  familiarity.  And  this  fear  was 
not  at  all  modified  by  a  whisper  that  reached  her  acute 
ears,  from  the  man  at  whose  side  the  giant  had  now  seated 
himself. 

"  I  could  a'  told  you  what  you  'd  get,  if  you  meddled  wi' 
the  Captain's  gal !  Now  look  out." 

But  the  "  Captain  "  conducted  himself  with  the  greatest 
courtesy  towards  his  guest. 

"  Come  here,  Princess  ! "  he  said,  addressing  the  girl, 
"come  here  and  place  yourself  on  the  other  side  of  this 
lady.  If  you  are  Princess,  she  is  Queen." 

The  girl  immediately  came  around  and  seated  herself. 
And  the  master  of  the  house  helped  his  guest  to  the  most 
delicate  morsels  of  the  viands  before  him. 

Sybil,  though  in  deadly  fear  of  her  gentlemanly  atten 
dant,  accepted  every  one  of  his  attentions  with  a  smile. 
She  knew  poor  child,  to  whom  she  was  now  obliged  to  pay 
court.  Her  one  idea  was  her  husband  ;  her  one  want,  to  be 
reunited  to  him,  at  all  risks  or  costs  to  liberty  or  life  ;  and 
she  knew  that  this  man,  the  autocrat,  as  well  as  the  Cap 
tain  of  his  band,  had  the  power  to  restore  her  to  her  hus 
band,  and  so  she  exerted  all  her  powers  of  pleasing  to  win 
his  favor. 

Poor  Sybil !  if  she  was  rather  ignorant  of  books,  (for  a 
gentleman's  daughter,)  she  was  still  more  ignorant  of  man 
kind.  She  might  have  learned  something  from  the  case  of 


70  TKIED     FOE     HER     LIFE. 

Kosa  Blondelle,  but  she  did  not.     And  now  no  guardian 
spirit  whispered  to  her : 

"  You  saw  how  the  blandishments  of  a  beauty  affected 
even  your  own  true-hearted  husband ;  and  yet,  with  the 
best  intentions,  you  are  using  the  same  sort  of  blandish 
ments  upon  a  brigand.  What  can  you  expect  but  evil  ?  " 

No ;  the  voice  of  her  guardian  angel  was  silent ;  and  the 
beautiful,  honorable  lady  continued  to  smile  on  the  robber 
captain,  until  his  head  was  turned. 

Near  the  conclusion  of  the  feast,  he  filled  a  goblet  to  the 
brim  with  wine,  and  rising  in  his  place,  said : 

"  Fill  high  your  glasses,  men  !  Let  us  drink  to  the 
health  of  our  new  sovereign.  Dethroned  and  outcast  by 
the  law,  we  will  enthrone  her  and  crown  her  the  Queen  of 
Outlaws  !  Fill  to  the  brim  with  this  best  of  wine.  And 
mind,  this  cup  is  a  pledge  of  amnesty  to  all  offenders,  of 
union  among  ourselves,  and  of  devotion  to  our  Queen ! " 

The  toast  was  honored  by  full  glasses  and  loud  cheers. 
And  none  filled  higher  or  cheered  louder  than  the  giant 
Moloch,  who  now  felt  himself  secure  from  the  captain's 
vengeance,  by  virtue  of  the  general  proclamation  of 
amnesty. 

The  long-protracted  feast  came  to  an  end  at  last. 

The  robber  captain  was  not  an  impetuous  brute  like  the 
giant  Moloch.  He  was  a  refined  and  cultivated  being,  who 
could  bide  his  time,  and  enjoy  his  happiness  by  anticipation. 

So  at  the  end  of  the  supper,  seeing  that  his  guest  was 
very  weary,  he  signed  to  the  girl  to  rise.  And  then  he 
took  the  lady's  hand,  pressed  it  most  respectfully  to  his  lips, 
and  placed  it  in  that  of  the  girl,  saying : 

"  See  your  queen  to  her  apartments,  and  serve  her 
royally." 

Poor  Sybil !  In  her  infatuation  she  smiled  upon  the 
brigand,  with  a  look  that  deprived  him  of  the  last  remnant 
of  reason,  and  then  she  followed  her  conductor  from  the 
room. 


THE     ROBBER      CHIEFTAIN.  71 

The  girl  led  the  lady  to  the  same  cavern  chamber  where 
she  had  before  slept,  and  then  said : 

"Listen  to  me.  Satan  is  not  himself  to-night.  Satan 
is  in  love.  That  is  a  more  fatal  intoxication  than  any  pro 
duced  by  wine ;  and  when  the  devil  is  drunk  with  love  or 
wine,  he  is  very  dangerous.  You  must  stay  with  me  to 
night." 

"  Your  eyes  are  wide  open,  and  as  bright  as  stars !  You 
are  not  sleepy  at  all,"  said  the  girl  gazing  upon  Sybil's 
excited  face. 

"  How  can  I  be,  when  I  slept  so  long  to-day,  and  when  I 
have  so  much  to  occupy  my  thoughts  besides?"  sighed 
Sybil. 

"  Do  you  wish  to  sleep  ?  " 

"  Indeed  I  do ;  to  sleep  and  forget." 

"  Here  then,"  said  the  girl  taking  a  full  bag  from  a  cor 
ner  and  drawing  over  it  a  clean  pillow-case.  "Here  is  a 
sack  of  dried  hop-leaves.  It  is  as  soft  as  down,  and  sopori 
fic  as  opium.  Put  this  under  your  head  and  you  will  find 
it  to  be  a  magic  cushion  that  will  convey  you  at  once  to 
the  land  of  Nod." 

Sybil  took  her  advice  and  soon  grew  calm,  and  soon  after 
lost  all  consciousness  of  her  troubles  in  a  deep  repose, 
which  lasted  until  morning. 

The  glinting  of  the  sun's  rays  through  the  crevices  in  the 
cave,  and  the  sparkling  of  the  stalactites  on  the  walls,  first 
awakened  Sybil.  She  saw  that  her  hostess  was  already  up 
and  dressed ;  but  had  not  left  the  cave.  She  was  in  truth 
setting  the  place  in  order  after  her  own  toilet,  and  laying 
out  fresh  towels  for  that  of  her  guest. 

Sybil  watched  her  in  silence  some  time,  and  then  spoke  : 

"  I  have  been  with  you  twenty-fours  hours,  and  yet  do 
not  know  your  name.  Will  you  never  tell  it  to  me?" 

"Yes,  my  name  is  Gentiliska;  but  you  may  call  mo 
Iska." 


72  TRIED     FOB     HER     LIFE. 

"Iska?  Gentiliska?  Where  have  I  heard  that  singu 
lar  name  before  ?  "  inquired  Sybil  of  herself ;  for  in  fact  so 
many  startling  incidents  had  happened  to  her  lately,  that 
her  mind  was  rather  confused.  She  reflected  a  moment 
before  she  could  recall  the  idea  of  the  Gipsy  girl,  in  the 
legend  of  the  "  Haunted  Chapel."  She  turned  and  gazed 
at  her  hostess  with  renewed  interest.  A  superstitious  thrill 
ran  through  her  frame.  Yes ;  here  were  all  the  points  of 
resemblance  between  this  strange  being  and  the  spectral 
girl  of  the  story !  Here  were  the  Gipsy  features,  the  long 
black  elf-locks,  the  jet  black  eyes,  and  arch  eye-brows 
depressed  towards  the  nose  and  lifted  towards  the  temple, 
the  elfish  expression,  the  manner,  the  dress,  the  very  name 
itself! 

"  Why  do  you  look  at  me  so  strangely  ? "  inquired  the 
girl. 

"  Gentiliska  ! "  repeated  Sybil,  as  in  a  dream. 

"  Yes,  that 's  it !  Most  of  the  girls  of  my  race  have  borne 
it ;  but  my  great-grandmother  was  the  last  before  me." 

"  Your  great-grandmother  ?  "  echoed  Sybil  still  as  in  a 
dream. 

"  Yes ;  she  had  no  daughter  or  granddaughter,  else  they 
also  would  have  been  Gentiliskas.  She  had  only  a  son  and 
a  grandson,  and  her  grandson  had  only  me,"  calmly  replied 
the  girl. 

Sybil  gasped  for  breath ;  and  when  she  recovered  her 
voice  she  exclaimed : 

"  But  you  have  another  name — a  family  name  !  " 

"  Oh,  to  be  sure ;  most  people  have." 

"  Would  you — would  you  tell  it  me  ?  "  inquired  Sybil, 
hesitatingly. 

The  girl  looked  at  her  quizzingly. 

"Believe  me,  I  do  not  ask  from  idle  curiosity,"  added 
Sybil. 

"Oh,  no;  to  be  sure  not.  We  are  not  a  bit  curious — • 
we  I" 


THE     ROBBER      CHIEFTAIN.  73 

"  You  need  n't  tell  me,"  said  Sybil. 

"  Oh,  but  I  will.  My  family  name  ?  It  is  not  a  very 
noble  one.  It  is  indeed  a  very  humble  one — Dewberry." 

"DuBARRY  !  "  exclaimed  Sybil,  catching  her  breath. 

"  Oh  bother,  no.  I  wish  it  was.  That  was  the  name  of 
the  great  family  who  once  owned  all  this  great  manor,  which 
went  to  wreck  and  ruin  for  want  of  an  heir  ! — oh,  no ;  my 
name  is  Dewberry — the  little  fruit  vine,  you  know,  that  runs 
along  the  ground,  and  takes  its  name  from  its  cool  berries 
being  always  found  deep  in  the  dew.  Besides,  I  am 
English,  and  descended  through  my  great-grandmother 
Geutiliska  from  the  English  gipsies.  She  was  a  gipsy 
queen." 

"  Gentiliska,"  said  Sybil,  "  Tell  me  something  about  your 
great-grandmother.  I  feel  interested  in  all  that  concerns 
gipsies." 

"  Well,  but  get  up  and  dress  for  breakfast.  I  can  talk 
while  you  are  making  your  toilet." 

"  Certainly,"  said  Sybil,  immediately  following  the  advice 
of  her  hostess,  who  with  nimble  hands  began  to  help  her 
to  dress. 

"  My  ancestress  Gentiliska  was  the  daughter  of  a  long 
line  of  gipsy  kings.  On  the  death  of  her  father,  she 
became  queen  of  the  tribe." 

"  Her  father  had  no  sons  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  he  had.  But  his  daughter  was  made  queen 
I  don't  know  why.  She  was  very  beautiful,  and  she  sang 
and  danced  as  charmingly  as  that  beautiful  Jewish  princess, 
who  danced  off  the  head  of  holy  '  John  the  Baptist.'  She 
was  an  astute  reader  of  human  nature,  and  therefore  a 
successful  fortune  teller.  She  always  promised  love  to 
youth,  money  to  the  mature,  and  long  life  to  the  aged. 
One  day  at  the  races  she  told  the  fortune  of  a  rich  young 
man,  in  return  for  which  he  made  hers." 

"How?" 


74  TEIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  He  married  her." 

"  He  did  really  marry  her  ?     You  are  sure  ? 

The  girl  flared  up.  "  He  took  her  abroad  with  him ;  and 
of  course  he  married  her." 

"  Of  course  lie  should  have  done  so,"  sighed  Sybil,  as  the 
fairy  castle  she  had  built  for  the  girl  fell  like  a  house  of 
cards. 

"  I  tell  you  he  not  only  should  have  done  so,  but  he  did 
so.  My  ancestress  was  no  fool.  She  was  married  by 
special  license.  I  have  the  license  in  a  silver  casket.  It 
was  the  only  heir  loom  she  left  her  descendants,  and  they 
have  kept  it  in  the  family  ever  since.  They  had  a  notion,  I 
think,  that  there  was  wealth  or  honor  hung  on  to  it," 
laughed  the  girl. 

"  Honor  certainly,  wealth  possibly." 

"  Ha  !  ha !  ha !  I  don't  see  how.  Little  good  for  one  or 
the  other,  it  ever  did  us.  My  father  was  a  tramp;  my 
grandfather  a  tinker." 

" But  how  was  that?  Your  ancestress  married  a  gentle 
man  ?  " 

"  Yes,  she  married  a  gentleman,  and  her  tribe  discarded 
her  when  she  deserted  them.  They  would  have  discarded 
her  all  the  same,  if  she  had  married  a  king  who  was  not  of 
her  race.  She  went  abroad  with  her  husband,  and  visited, 
I  have  heard,  the  four  quarters  of  the  globe.  She  returned 
after  two  years,  bringing  with  her  a  dark  infant  boy.  She 
was  about  to  go  with  her  husband  on  another  long,  long 
voyage.  He  refused  to  allow  her  to  take  her  child,  but 
said,  for  the  little  lad's  own  sake,  he  must  be  left  at  nurse 
in  England.  The  only  point  she  could  get  him  to  yield 
was  this,  that  the  child  should  be  left  with  her  tribe  until 
it  should  be  five  years  old,  when  they  would  reclaim  it." 

"  That  was  a  very  strange  disposition  for  a  gentleman  to 
make  of  his  son." 

"  It  would  have  been,  if  he  had  cared  a  snap  for  his  son, 


THE     BOBBER      CHIEFTAIN.  75 

which  he  didn't,  as  after  events  proved.  The  gipsy  wife 
sought  out  her  own  old  grandmother,  who  was  a  famous 
doctress  of  the  tribe.  In  the  beldame's  care  she  left  the 
babe.  Then  with  her  husband  she  slipped  away  to  sea,  and 
neither  the  one  nor  the  other  was  ever  seen  or  heard  of 
afterwards.  The  boy,  deserted  by  his  father  and  his 
mother,  grew  up  a  poor  degraded  little  half-breed  among 
the  gipsies,  scarcely  tolerated  by  them,  but  loved  and  pet 
ted  by  his  foster-mother,  whose  great  power  in  her  tribe 
only  sufficed  for  his  protection.  When  at  length  the  old 
crone  lay  upon  her  death-bed,  she  called  the  youth  to  her 
side,  and  placed  in  his  hand  the  silver  casket,  saying : 

"  Take  it,  my  lad.  It  was  put  in  my  hands  by  your 
mother,  when  she  left  you  with  me.  Take  it,  then  ;  guard 
it  as  the  most  sacred  treasure  of  your  life ;  for  it  may  bring 
you  to  wealth  and  honor  yet.' 

"  And  then  she  died,  and  the  lad,  with  the  casket  for  his 
only  fortune,  left  the  tribe,  and  took  to  the  road  alone, 
mending  pots  and  kettles  foi  a  living,  often  suffering 
hunger  and  cold,  but  never,  under  any  stress  of  poverty, 
parting  with  the  silver  casket."  The  girl  paused  for  a 
moment  and  then  resumed: 

"  But  poverty  never  yet  prevented  a  gipsy  from  taking  a 
mate.  He  found  one  in  the  daughter  of  another  travelling 
tinker,  poorer,  if  possible,  than  himself.  She  lived  only 
long  enough  to  bring  him  one  child,  and  then  died,  it  is 
said,  from  the  hardships  of  her  life." 
"  That  was  miserable,"  sighed  Sj'bil. 
"  It  was  so  miserable  that  her  widowed  husband  never 
tried  marriage  any  more  ;  but  he  brought  up  his  son  to  his 
own  trade — that  of  a  travelling  tinker.  And  when  the 
time  came  for  him  to  give  up  the  ghost,  he  placed  the  cas 
ket  in  the  hand  of  the  boy,  saying  : 

"  Your  mother  died  of  want,  rather  than  let  it  be  sold 
for  a  sum  that  might  have  saved  her  life  and  made  her 


76  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

comfortable  ;  because  she  said  that  in  it  was  her  child's 
destiny.  Keep  it  and  guard  it  as  you  would  guard  your 
heart's  blood. 

"  And  so  the  old  tinker  died,  and  the  young  tramp,  with 
the  heirloom  ill  his  possession,  set  out  to  seek  his  fortunes. 

"  But  he  did  not  go  upon  the  quest  alone.  Like  most 
improvident  young  tramps,  he  took  a  mate.  His  wife  was 
my  mother.  I  remember  both  my  parents  while  they  were 
yet  young  and  handsome,  and  very  happy  despite  their 
poverty.  My  father —  But  let  me  stop !  Before  I  go  any 
further,  I  wish  to  ask  you  a  question." 

«  Ask  it." 

"  Do  you  believe  that  any  one  may  become  so  maddened 
with  causeless  jealousy  as  to  commit  a  crime  ?  " 

"  I  not  only  believe  it,  but  know  it." 

"  Then  I  will  go  on.  My  father  doted  on  my  mother — 
just  doted  on  her !  But  my  poor  mother  had  a  friend  and 
benefactor,  of  whom  my  father  grew  insanely,  furiously,  but 
causelessly  jealous. 

"  One  day  he  did  a  cruel  murder,  and  found  out  when  it 
was  too  late  that  he  had  slain  the  father  of  his  wife,  who,  in 
coming  after  her  at  all  was  only  looking  to  the  interests  of 
his  poor,  unowned  daughter.  Ah !  a  volume  might  be 
written  on  that  tragedy  ;  but  let  it  pass  !  My  mother  died 
of  grief.  But  long  ere  that  my  father  had  fled  the  country 
an  outlaw  and  the  companion  of  outlaws. 

"  Once  his  still  absorbing  love  for  his  wife  drew  him  back 
to  England,  at  the  imminent  risk  of  his  life.  His  wife  was 
dead,  and  his  daughter  was  a  little  wretched  child,  knocked 
about  among  beggars  and  tramps,  and  in  extreme  danger 
of  that  last  evil — that  last,  and  worst  evil  that  could  have 
befallen  her — being  taken  care  of  by  the  parish  !" 

"  That  is  a  severe  sarcasm,"  said  Sybil,  rebukingly. 

"  Is  it  ?  If  ever  you  are  free  again,  lady,  visit  the  most 
destitute  homes  in  the  world,  and  then  the  best  alms-housea 


THE     ROBBER      CHIEFTAIN.  77 

in  your  reach,  and  find  out  for  yourself  whether  it  is  not 
better  to  die  a  free  beggar  than  to  live  an  imprisoned  pau 
per.  The  manner  in  which  Workhouse  Charity  '  whips  the 
devil  round  the  stump '  by  satisfying  its  conscience  without 
benefiting  its  object,  is  one  of  the  funniest  jokes,  as  well  aa 
one  of  the  most  curious  subjects  of  study,  that  can  be  found 
in  social  life." 

"  I  am  sorry  to  hear  you  say  so ;  but  go  on  with  your 
story." 

"  My  father,  bowed  down  with  remorse  for  his  crime,  and 
grief  for  the  loss  of  his  wife,  found  yet  something  to  live  for 
in  me,  his  only  child.  He  brought  me  away  to  the  coast  of 
France,  where  he  and  his  pals  were  carrying  on  a  very  suc 
cessful  business  in  the  smuggling  line. 

"They  run  goods  to  and  fro  between  the  French  and 
English  shores  of  the  Channel.  One  day  he  was  fatally 
wounded  in  an  encounter  with  the  Excise  officers,  near  St. 
Margaret's.  He  was  taken  prisoner,  but  all  the  other  mem. 
bers  of  his  band  escaped.  When  he  knew  he  was  dying,  he 
sent  for  me,  and  the  officers  were  kind  enough  to  have  me 
looked  up. 

"  I  was  then  wandering  about  the  village  in  a  state  of 
destitution,  in  which  I  must  have  perished  but  for  the  kind 
ness  of  the  poorest  among  the  poor,  who  shared  their  crusts 
and  their  pallets  with  me. 

"  I  was  taken  to  my  father,  who  was  dying  in  the  Dover 
jail.  He  gave  me  the  silver  casket,  telling  me  what  a  sa 
cred  heir-loom  it  was,  and  how  he  had  kept  it  through  every 
temptation  to  part  with  it,  and  that  I  must  guard  it  as  the 
most  precious  jewel  of  my  life  ;  for  that  one  day  it  might  be 
the  means  of  making  me  a  lady." 

"I  didn't  say  '  Bosh'  to  my  dying  father;  but  I  have 
said  'Bosh'  ever  since,  every  time  I  have  thought  of  that 
bauble  !  It  never  did  any  good  to  my  father,  or  my  grand 
father,  and  it  is  not  likely  to  relent  in  my  favor.  Beyond 


78  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

the  fact  that  it  proves  my  great-grandmother,  the  Gipsy 
Queen,  to  have  been  an  honest  woman,  I  do  n't  see  any  use 
it  is  to  her  descendants." 

"  I  have  it  still,  as  I  told  you  before ;  because  from  the 
hour  of  my  poor  father's  death,  I  have  never  known  a  want, 
or  felt  a  temptation  to  part  with  it.  I  was  adopted  by  his 
band,  who  have  always  treated  me  like  a  princess." 

"  But  I  have  a  sort  of  spite  against  it,  for  all  that,  for  it 
never  yet  did  what  was  expected  of  it ;  and  so,  the  first  time 
I  find  myself  hungry  without  the  means  of  procuring  food,  I 
will  sell  the  silver  casket  to  the  first  purchaser  I  can  find ; 
and  the  first  time  I  want  to  light  a  candle  and  can  't  find 
any  other  piece  of  paper,  I  will  burn  the  marriage  license." 

"  Do  n't  you  do  it !  "  exclaimed  Sybil,  eagerly,  earnestly ; 
"  burn,  sell  anything  you  possess  sooner !  I  believe  that 
that  casket  has  been  preserved  through  three  generations  for 
your  sake,  yours  I  And  if,  as  your  poor  father  hinted,  it 
does  not  make  you  a  lady, — for  nothing  but  nature  and 
education  can  make  one  a  lady,  you  know — it  will  be  sure 
to  make  you  a  woman  of  wealth  and  position  !  " 

"  Bosh  !  I  will  say  '  bosh  '  to  you ;  for  you  are  not  my 
father,"  sneered  the  girl. 

"  Suppose  I  were  able  to  furnish  you  with  the  key  to  the 
lock  of  this  sealed  family  history  of  j'ours  ?  Suppose  I 
could  point  out  to  you  the  place  where  Philip  Dewberry,  as 
you  called  him,  carried  his  gipsy  wife  Gentiliska ;  where 
she  died  without  other  children  ;  and  where  he  also  subse 
quently  died  without  other  heirs?  "  inquired  Sybil. 

"  If  you  could  do  that,  you  could  do  wonders  !  "  laughed 
the  girl  incredulously. 

"  I  believe  I  can  do  all  this !  I  believe  I  can  give  you 
the  sequel  and  complement  of  the  family  history  you  have 
told  me  ! "  said  Sybil  seriously. 

"  How  is  it  possible  ?  You  can  know  nothing  of  it.  I 
am  English,  you  are  American.  The  ocean  divides  our 


THE     ROBBER     CHIEFTAIN.  79 

countries,  and  the  century  divides  that  past  history  from  the 
present." 

"  Divides  and  unites  !  "  said  Sybil. 

"  But  how  is  that  ?  " 

"  Gentiliska,  did  you  never  think  of  connecting  the  two 
circumstances ;  your  race  of  Dewberrys  searching  for  the 
estate  to  which  they  had  a  claim,  but  no  clue  ;  and  this 
manor  of  the  Dubarrys,  waiting  in  abeyance  for  the  heir 
who  never  comes  to  claim  it  ?  " 

"  .ZVb  /  "  exclaimed  the  girl  in  some  excitement,  "  I  never 
did  !  But  the  coincidence  is  striking  too.  Only — one  name 
is  Dubarry  and  the  other  is  Dewberry.  Bosh,  I  say  again ! 
One  name  is  even  French,  and  the  other  is  English  !  They 
are  not  even  of  the  same  nation ;  how  can  they  have  any 
connection  with  each  other  ?  " 

"  My  dear ;  do  n't  you  know  how  easy  it  is  to  corrupt  a 
name  ?  Do  n't  you  see  how  inevitably  the  aristocratic 
French  name  Dubarry  would  be  corrupted  by  ignorant 
people  into  the  humble  English  name  Dewberry  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  but  I  never  thought  of  that  before." 

"Now,  will  you  let  me  look  at  that  license  ?  " 

"I  don't  care.  Only  whenever  I  put  my  hands  upon  it, 
I  am  tempted  to  tear  it  up." 

"  Do  nothing  of  the  sort ;  guard  it  as  you  would  guard 
your  precious  eyes.  And  now  let  me  see  it." 


80  TRIED      FOR     HER     LIFE. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

GENTILISKA   DUBARRY. 

••And  Men, 

And  Iska. 
And  luka's  a  lady." 

THE  girl  went  to  a  little  trunk,  unlocked  it,  and  brought 
out  the  small  silver  casket.  She  touched  a  spring  and  the 
top  flew  open  revealing  a  packet  of  papers,  from  which  she 
selected  one  brown  with  age,  and  worn  almost  into  squares 
by  folding.  She  laid  it  before  Sybil,  who  carefully  unfolded 
it,  and  scrutinized  it. 

"  There,  you  see  !  "  said  the  lady  at  length,  speaking  in 
triumph.  "  There  is  the  name  of  Philip  Dubarry,  as  plain 
as  a  proctor's  clerk  could  write  it.  Not  Dewberry,  mind 
you,  but  Dubarry.  See  for  yourself." 

"  So  it  is  ! "  exclaimed  the  girl  in  amazement.  "  Now  do 
you  know  I  never  examined  it  so  closely  as  to  see  the  differ 
ence  in  the  spelling  of  the  name  before  ?  We  were  always 
called  Dewberry ;  and  Dewberry  I  thought  we  were." 

"  No  ;  you  were  and  are  Dubarry,  and  in  all  human  prob 
ability  the  sole  heiress  of  this  great  manor." 

"  Stop  a  bit ;  oh,  my  eye  !     I  mean,  oh,  my  nose  !  " 

"  What 's  the  matter  ?  " 

"  I  smell  a  mice  !  " 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Satan  knows  I  am  a  princess  in  disguise,  and  that  'a  the 
very  reason  why  he  wants  to  marry  me." 

"  Please  be  clear,  if  you  can  't  be  brilliant." 

"  Why,  I  'm  as  clear  as  mud.  Satan  has  found  out  that 
I  am  the  rightful  heiress  of  the  Dubarry  manor,  and  he 
wishes  to  make  me  his  wife  in  order  to  become  master  of  the 
estate,"  the  girl  explained. 


QENTILISKA     DUBARRY.  81 

Sybil  raised  her  eyes  in  surprise,  then  dropped  them  again 
upon  the  license,  and  repeated  : 

"  So  Satan  wishes  to  wed  you." 

"  You  bet.  And  I  never  could  imagine  why  a  gentleman 
of  his  cultivated  tastes  should  want  me  for  a  wife." 

"  Did  he  ever  happen  to  see  that  marriage  license  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  he  has  seen  it  and  studied  it.  He  told  me  it 
was  an  important  document,  and  advised  me  to  take  good 
care  of  it." 

"  Then  that  is  probably  the  way  in  which  he  discovered 
your  right  to  the  Dubarry  estate." 

"  To  be  sure  it  was ;  for  from  the  time  he  first  saw  that 
paper,  he  began  to  treat  me  with  more  respect  and  attention. 
And  I  do  believe  that  was  also  the  reason  why  he  came  down 
to  this  place." 

While  the  girl  spoke,  Sybil  was  thinking  hard  and  fast. 
Was  the  gentleman  brigand  the  husband  of  Rosa  Bloudelle  ? 
Had  he  deliberately  murdered  his  wife  that  he  might  marry 
this  young  gipsy  heiress  of  the  great  Dubarry  manor  ? 
But  the  girl  would  not  let  the  lady  reflect  in  peace  for  many 
minutes.  She  suddenly  broke  out  with — 

"  I  can 't  credit  it.  Not  even  in  the  face  of  the  facts. 
What,  a  poor  little  beggarly  wretch  of  a  half-breed  gipsy  like 
me,  the  sole  heiress  of  an  old  aristocratic  manor  ?  Stuff  and 
nonsense !  Even  if  I  have  a  right  to  it,  I  shall  never  get 
it." 

"  Oh,  yes,  you  will,"  said  Sybil,  confidently.  "  I  never 
heard  of  a  clearer  case  than  yours,  as  you  have  stated  it. 
You  have  only  to  prove  three  marriages,  three  births,  and 
one  identity.  And  as  marriages  and  births  are  always  re 
gistered  in  your  country,  there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  that." 

"  Our  marriages  and  births  were  always  registered  for  the 
same  reason  that   this   license  was  kept,  that  some  of  us 
might  come  into  the  family  fortune  sometime  and  be  made 
5 


82  TRIED     FOB      HER     LIFE. 

a  lady  or  a  gentleman  of.  And  it  begins  to  look  like  I  was 
going  to  be  the  lady." 

"  Well,  but  do  n't  spoil  your  fortune  by  marrying  Satan," 
said  Sybil. 

"  Marry  Satan  ?  I'd  see  him  in  Pandemonium  first !  " 
exclaimed  the  little  student  of  Milton. 

"I'm  glad  to  hear  you  say  so  !  Keep  to  that,  and  get 
out  of  this  den  of  thieves  as  soon  as  ever  you  can,"  added 
Sybil. 

"  Now,  may  Satan  fly  away  with  me  if  ever  I  desert  my 
friends.  They  risked  their  necks  to  rescue  me  from  want  in 
Dover,  and  have  provided  for  me  like  a  princess.  If  that's 
the  way  you  good  people  requite  kindness,  I  think  I'll  stick 
to  my  poor  scamps.  At  least,  I  will  never  leave  them,  until 
I  can  give  them  each  and  all  money  enough  to  retire  upon 
honestly." 

"  But  you  will  have  to  leave  them,  before  you  can  do 
that.  You  will  have  to  live  among  law-abiding  people, 
before  you  can  get  a  lawyer  to  take  up  such  a  case  as  yours. 
I  think,  if  ever  I  am  free  again,  I  would  like  to  have  you 
home _ with  me;  and  1  am  sure  my  dear  husband  would 
take  up  your  cause,  as  he  has  taken  up  that  of  many  a  poor 
client,  without  money,  and  without  price." 

Here  the  girl  burst  into  such  peals  of  laughter,  that 
Sybil  could  but  gaze  on  her  in  astonishment. 

"  Oh,  you  know,  that  is  too  good ! "  exclaimed  Iska,  as 
soon  as  she  recovered  from  her  mirthful  paroxysm. 

"What  is  too  good?  "  inquired  Sybil,  slightly  displeased. 

"  Oh,  that  you  should  invite  me  to  your  house,  and 
recommend  me  to  your  husband's  good  offices !  One  would 
think  that.you  had  had  enough  of  taking  up  stray  women 
and  flinging  them  at  your  husband's  head  ! "  exclaimed  the 
girl,  with  another  paroxysm  of  laughter. 

Sybil  turned  pale,  and  remained  silent  for  a  few 
moments ;  then  she  said  very  gravely  : 


GENTILISKA     DUBARBY.  83 

"Your  gay  rebuke  may  be  a  just  one.  I  will  think 
twice  before  I  repeat  the  folly." 

"  And  now  I  have  lost  a  friend  by  my  jest.  I  am  always 
losing  friends  by  jests,"  said  Gentiliska,  sadly. 

"  No,  indeed  you  have  not,  poor  child,"  exclaimed  our 
magnanimous  Sybil.  "  I  might  think  once,  or  twice,  but  I 
should  never  think  long  without  offering  you  a  home  in  my 
heart  and  in  my  house.  You  are  no  saint,  poor  girl ;  but 
that  you  are  an  honest  woman,  with  your  antecedents  and 
your  surroundings,  is  as  much  to  your  credit,  I  think,  as 
sanctity  is  to  the  most  holy." 

And  the  lady  arose  and  kissed  the  little  gipsy. 

"  That  was  good,"  sighed  Gentiliska ;  "  that  is  the  first 
time  I  have  ever  been  kissed  since  my  poor  mother  died." 

They  were  interrupted  by  the  apparition  of  Proserpine, 
who  glided  into  the  inner  cavern. 

"What  do  you  want?"  demanded  Gentiliska. 

"Nothing.  Breakfast  has  been  ready  this  half-hour. 
We  thought  you  were  asleep,  so  we  waited.  But  just  now 
I  heard  you  laughing.  So  I  came  in  to  tell  you  everything 
would  be  spoiled,  if  you  did  n't  made  haste  and  get  ready." 

"  All  right ;  we  are  ready.  Put  breakfast  on  the  table 
directly,"  said  Gentiliska. 

The  girl  disappeared,  and  the  two  temporary  companions, 
Sybil  and  Gentiliska,  soon  followed. 

They  found  a  comfortable  breakfast  laid  out  in  the 
kitchen,  and,  as  on  the  preceding  morning,  Sybil  did  justice 
to  the  delicacies  set  before  her. 

"  Where  are  your  companions  ?  "  she  inquired  of  Gentil 
iska,  not  seeing  any  sign  of  the  robbers'  presence. 

"  I  do  n't  know.  Where  are  the  men,  Hecate  ? "  in 
quired  the  hostess,  turning  to  the  crone. 

"  Bless  you,  Missis,  as  soon  as  they  got  through  with- 
their  supper,  which  they  kept  up  until  midnight,  they  one 
and  all  put  on  their  gowns  and  masks,  and  started  out  on 
business  " 


84  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  Business !  Yes,  that  means  stopping  a  stage-coach,  or 
breaking  into  a  house  ! "  sneered  the  girl.  "  And  tney 
have  not  got  back  yet  ?  "  she  inquired. 

"  Bless  you,  Missis,  no !  I  sorter,  kinder,  think  as 
they  've  gone  a  good  distance  this  time. 

Sybil  said  nothing ;  but  she  felt  relieved,  and  grateful  to 
be  rid  of  those  terrible  men,  even  far  a  few  hours. 

When  breakfast  was  over,  Gentiliska  said  to  Sybil : 

"  You  must  not  suppose  that  I  live  entirely  under 
ground,  like  a  mole!  No,  indeed;  every  day  when  it  is 
fine,  I  go  to  the  surface.  I  get  out  on  the  roof.  I  walk  on 
the  mountain  heights,  'where  never  foot  fell,'  except  my 
own !  I  went  out  yesterday,  and  would  have  taken  you ; 
but  that  you  were  so  dead  asleep.  Will  you  climb  with  me 
to-day?" 

"  With  great  pleasure,"  said  Sybil. 

"And  while  we  go,  we  will  take  little  baskets  and  some 
luncheon,  and  we  will  gather  some  nuts — there  are  so  many 
on  the  mountain — walnuts,  chestnuts,  hickory-nuts,  hazle- 
nuts,  and  chinkapins,"  added  the  young  hostess,  as  they 
walked  back  to  the  sleeping  cavern,  where  they  began  to 
prepare  for  their  ramble. 

"  There,  take  that,  and  wrap  yourself  up  warm.  I  wish 
it  was  nicer,  but  I  have  n't  a  choice  of  garments  here,  you 
know." 

Sybil  picked  up  the  articles  thrown  her  by  her  hostess, 
and  saw,  to  her  astonishment,  that  it  was  a  priceless  India 
shawl,  belonging  to  her  friend  Miss  Pendleton. 

"This!  this!"  she  exclaimed,  indignantly;  "do  you 
know  what  this  is  ?  " 

"  It  is  an  old  shawl,"  replied  the  girl,  contemptuously. 

"  Yes,  it  is  an  '  old  shawl,'  a  rare  old  camel's  hair  shawl, 
worth  thousands  upon  thousands  of  dollars,  an  heir  loom  of 
the  Peudleton  family,  that  has  descended  from  generation 
to  generation,  until  now  it  is  the  property  of  Miss  Beatrix 
1'eudleton.  Oh,  I  am  so  sorry  she  has  lost  it." 


GENTILISKA     DUBARRT.  85 

«  What,  that  old  thing?  I'm  blessed  if  I  did  n't  think 
it  was  a  most  uncommon  coarse,  thick,  heavy  old  broche." 

"  It  is  a  priceless  India  camel's  hair  shawl !  Such  a  one 
as  could  not  be  bought  in  this  century  at  any  price.  Oh.  I 
•wish  she  had  it  back  ! " 

"  Lor'  bless  you !  she  may  have  it  back  if  she  wants  it ! 
Why  do  you  think  they  took  it?  For  its  value?  They 
knew  no  more  of  its  value  than  I  did !  No !  they  took  it 
for  its  uses !  They  took  it  to  tie  up  some  of  the  silver  plate 
in,  because  they  had  n't  sacks  enough.  You  take  it,  and 
keep  it !  And  when  you  have  a  chance,  give  it  back  to 
your  friend.  But  for  to-day,  you  had  better  give  it  an 
airing  on  your  shoulders." 

So  exhorted,  Sybil  wrapped  herself  in  the  costly  shawl, 
and  followed  her  hostess  through  many  labyrinths  of  the 
caverns,  until  they  came  out  on  a  lonely  height  apparently 
yet  untrodden  by  the  foot  of  man. 

It  was  a  clear,  bright  December  day.  The  morning,  if 
sharp  and  cold,  was  fresh  and  invigorating. 

They  spent  the  middle  of  the  day  in  rambling  through 
the  loneliest  parts  of  the  mountain  fastnesses,  and  gather 
ing  treasure  of  many  sorts  of  the  sweetest  nuts.  The  sun 
was  sinking  in  the  west  when  they  turned  their  steps 
towards  the  caverns. 

"  The  men  will  be  sure  to  be  home  to  supper.  They 
never  fail  supper !  And  now  we  will  be  able  to  give  them 
walnuts  with  their  wine ! "  said  Gentiliska,  as  they  ree'n- 
tered  the  labyrinth  that  led  them  from  the  mountain  top  to 
the  caverns  underneath. 

Sybil's  heart  shrunk  within  her.  To  the  delicate  and 
conscientious,  there  is  always  an  exquisite  torture  in  the 
immediate  contact  of  the  coarse  and  reckless. 

They  reached  the  large  cavern  to  find  its  walls  brilliantly 
lighted  up,  and  the  supper  table  laid  and  well  laden,  as  on 
the  preceding  evening. 


86  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"We  will  go  to  the  sleeping  cavern,  and  lay  off  our 
bonnets  and  shawls.  Then  we  will  be  ready  for  supper. 
Fortunately  we  don't  have  to  dress  for  the  evening  at  our 
house !"  laughed  the  girl,  leading  the  way  to  the  little  cave. 

When  they  had  thrown  off  their  wraps,  they  returned  to 
the  larger  cavern  to  find  it  half  full  of  the  men.  Supper 
was  already  on  the  table ;  and  Satan,  who  was  now  in  full 
evening  dress,  came  forward  and  bowed  to  Sybil,  and  with 
much  empressment  led  her  to  the  place  of  honor  at  the 
board,  and  seated  himself  beside  her. 

Moloch  took  a  stool  immediately  opposite  the  pair,  where 
he  could  gaze  at  will  upon  the  new  beauty. 

When  all  were  seated  the  feast  began.  Satan  gave  his 
whole  attention  to  Sybil,  whom  he  treated  with  tender 
deference. 

As  the  supper  progressed  and  the  wine  passed  around, 
the  men,  under  the  exhilarating  influence,  grew  merry  and 
talkative. 

"  Hope  the  beaks  '11  have  a  good  time  up  at  the  old 
Haunted  Chapel  to-day !  This  is  the  second  day  they  've 
been  there  looking  for  us !  And  oh !  did  n't  they  think 
they  'd  struck  a  rich  lead  when  they  found  that  swell 
Berners  up  there !  They  thought  they  had  got  his  wife  too, 
for  certain!  That's  what's  brought  them  back  to-d;iy! 
they  know  they  can  't  find  us  there ;  but  they  hope  to  find 
her,"  said  one  of  the  robbers. 

But  his  speech  was  not  received  with  general  favor.  And 
when  he  stupidly  pursued  the  theme,  not  understanding  the 
menacing  look  of  Satan,  one  of  his  companions  dug  an  elbow 
in  his  side,  and  called  out: 

"  Stow  all  that,  you  stupid  donkey  !  Do  n't  you  see  the 
lady  you  are  talking  about  is  at  the  table  ?  " 

The  rebuke  was  almost  as  bad  as  the  offense  had  been  ; 
but  it  had  its  effect  in  silencing  the  talkative  offender. 

But  good-humor  was  soon  restored.     The  walnuts  wer« 


GENTILISKA     DUBARBT.  87 

placed  upon  the  table  with  the  dessert,  and  many  compli 
ments  were  passed  upon  the  pretty  hands  that  had  gathered 
them  for  the  feast. 

But  just  in  the  midst  of  their  merry-making  the  whole 
part}7  were  startled  by  a  tremendous  explosion,  that  seemed 
to  shake  the  mountain  side. 

All  sprung  to  their  feet,  and  stood  gazing  in  amazement 
at  each  other  until  the  echoes  of  the  thunder  died  away. 
There  was  silence  for  a  moment  after,  and  then  Moloch 
suddenly  burst  into  a  peal  of  laughter,  in  which  he  was 
Boon  joined  by  all  his  companions,  with  the  exception  of 
Satan,  who  sat  frowning  upon  them. 

"  What  is  the  meaning  *of  this  rudeness  ? "  he  sternly 
demanded. 

u  Oh,  boss  !  do  n't  you  know  ?  We  are  laughing  at  the 
beaks  !  They  have  blown  themselves  up  in  the  old  Haunted 
Chapel !  "  answered  one  of  the  party. 

"  Good  Heaven  !  A  wholesale  murder  !  I  was  not  pre 
pared  for  that !  "  exclaimed  the  captain. 

"  A  wholesale  murder,  or  a  wholesale  accident,  if  you 
please,  boss  !  but  no  murder.  Nobody  told  them  to  take 
lights  down  into  that  vault,  where  there  was  gunpowder 
lying  around  loose  !  And  if  the  trap  was  set  for  one  med 
dler  and  caught  a  dozen,  why,  so  much  the  better,  I  say ! 
And  I  do  n't  think  it  could  a  caught  much  less  than  a 
dozen,  seeing  as  there  were  about  fifteen  or  twenty  men  in 
the  chapel  when  I  spied  it  this  afternoon  from  my  cover  iu 
the  woods  on  the  mountain  behind  it,  and  I  reckon  there 
must  a'  been  more  than  half  of  them  killed." 

"  Hush  !  "  said  Satan  ;  do  n't  you  see  that  this  lady  is 
nearly  fainting  with  terror  ?  " 

Sybil  was  indeed  as  white  as  a  ghost,  and  on  the  very 
verge  of  swooning.  But  she  managed  to  command  nerve 
enough  to  ask : 

"  Was — can  you  tell  me — was  my  husband  in  the  chapel 
this  afternoon  ?  " 


88  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

"  Oh,  no,  ma'am  ! "  answered  the  robber,  who  had  imme 
diately  taken  his  cue  from  the  glance  of  his  captain's  eye. 
"  Oh,  no,  ma'am,  I  met  him  on  his  road  to  Blackville  early 
this  afternoon." 

This  was  partly  true,  for  the  man  had  really  seen  Lyon 
Berners  when  he  was  walking  along  the  river  road  to  meet 
Joe.  Sybil  believed  it  to  be  wholly  true,  and  uttered  an 
exclamation  of  thankfulness. 

The  wine  passed  more  freely,  and  the  men  grew  merrier, 
wilder,  and  more  uproarious.  Sybil  became  very  much 
alarmed;  and  not  so  much  by  the  noisy  orgies  of  these 
rude  revellers,  as  by  the  dreadful  gaze  of  Moloch  fixed  upon 
her  from  the  opposite  end  of  the  table  where  he  sat,  and 
the  offensive  language  of  Satan's  eyes  whenever  they  turned 
towards  her. 

At  length,  unable  to  bear  the  trial  longer,  she  arose  from 
her  seat,  and  courtesying  to  these  brigands  as  she  would 
have  done  to  any  set  of  gentlemen  of  whom  she  was  taking 
leave,  Sybil  left  the  cavern,  followed  by  Geutiliska. 

"  I  mu.-t  take  you  to  another  grotto.  You  cannot  occupy 
mine  to-night,"  said  the  girl,  with  evident  reluctance. 

"  But,  oh  !  why,  why  may  I  not  stay  with  you  ?  I  am 
afraid  to  sleep  alone  in  this  terrible  place  I"  pleaded  Sybil. 

"  I  have  a  reason,  but  I  cannot  tell  it  to  you  now.  Yes, 
I  will,  too  !  I  will  tell  you  at  all  risks  !  Then  it  is  this : 
My  chamber  is  no  longer  safe  for  you !  I  myself  am  not 
strong  enough  to  protect  you !  You  might  be  carried  off 
forcibly  from  my  side  !  I  must  hide  you  where  no  devil 
may  find  you  to-night !  "  whispered  the  girl. 

"  My  blood  curdles  !  Oh,  help  me  if  you  can  I "  cried 
Sybil. 

"  I  cannot  help  you !  I  can  only  hide  you  !  I  could 
perhaps  save  you  from  insult  by  sober  men  ;  but  who  shall 
save  you  from  maniacs,  mad  with  drink?" 

""Yet  you  have  alwaj's  saved  yourself!  How  have  you 
managed  to  do  so  ?  " 


GENTILISKA      UUBARRY.  89 

"  I  have  grown  up  among  them,  their  child !  That 
makes  all  the  difference  !  " 

"  Oh,  Heaven  help  me  !  Would  I  were  dead ! "  cried 
Sybil,  in  an  agony  of  terror. 

"  Oh,  bosh  !  that 's  the  cry  of  weakness  !  I  've  seen  some 
hard  times,  but  I  never  wished  myself  dead  yet ! "  said  the 
girl,  as  she  led  her  guest  through  a  labyrinth  of  small 
caverns  until  she  reached  one  smaller  and  more  remote 
than  the  others. 

"  Oh,  do  not  leave  me  here  alone  ! "  pleaded  Sybil.  "  If 
I  must  stay,  stay  with  me  !  I  do  not  fear  death ;  but  oh  I 
I  fear  these  men  !  Do  not  leave  me  ! " 

"  I  must,  for  your  own  safety.  They  must  not  miss  me, 
or  their  suspicions  will  be  aroused." 

Then  pointing  to  a  bed  of  moss,  and  recommending  her 
guest  to  lie  down  and  seek  repose,  Gentiliska  glided  away 
through  the  labyrinth  of  caves  and  was  lost  to  sight  and 
hearing. 

Sybil's  first  impulse  was  to  start  up  and  run  after  her 
hostess,  but  she  restrained  herself,  and  sank  half  fainting 
upon  the  heap  of  moss. 

There  was  but  a  faint  sparkling  of  light  in  the  cave, 
coming  from  a  crevice  in  the  roof  through  which  the  moon 
light  entered,  and  glancing  down,  struck  here  and  there 
upon  the  stalactites  on  the  walls. 

"  Seek  repose,"  had  been  the  advice  of  Gentiliska. 

Sybil  dared  not  seek  it  if  she  could,  and  could  not  have 
found  it  if  she  had.  She  lay  there  with  her  eyes  wide 
open,  staring  towards  the  entrance  of  the  cavern,  as  if  she 
feared  the  sudden  apparition^  of  some  horrid  shape.  She 
lay  there  with  every  nerve  strung  up  to  the  severest  ten 
sion,  and  every  faculty  of  mind  and  body  on  the  alert. 
She  scarcely  breathed,  but  lay  motionless,  and  watched  and 
listened  intently.  Hour  after  hour  passed  in  this  stern 
tension  of  her  frame,  this  trance-like  stillness  and  silence, 


90  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

when  at  length  she  fancied  she  heard  a  creeping,  stealthy 
step  approaching.  Nearly  frozen  with  terror,  she  listened 
and  watched  more  intently  than  ever.  Alone,  helpless,  in 
darkness  and  solitude,  what  horrid  fate  must  she  meet  I 
The  creeping,  cautious  footstep  drew  nearer,  nearer ! 

Oh,  Heaven !  it  was  no  fancy !  The  entrance  of  the 
cavern  was  more  deeply  darkened  for  one  moment,  and  then 
the  huge  form  of  Moloch  stood  within  the  cavern  and 
nearly  filled  it  up. 

Paralyzed  with  horror,  Sybil  could  neither  move  nor  cry 
out — not  even  when  the  monster  approached  the  bed  and 
put  his  profane  hand  upon  her  face. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

NELLY   TO   THE  RESCUE. 

She  never,  never  failed  a  friend. 

And  never  feared  a  foe. — XICHOLL. 

HELP  was  at  hand.  There  came  a  sound  as  of  the  rush 
ing  of  tiny  feet,  and  suddenly  the  little  Skye  terrier  rushed 
into  the  cavern,  and  with  joyous  barks  darted  upon  her 
mistress's  bed;  but  instantly  these  barks  of  joy  were 
changed  into  a  howl  of  rage  and  pain,  as  she  sprang  at  the 
throat  of  the  robber,  and  closing  her  teeth  upon  his  wind 
pipe,  hung  there  like  "  grim  death." 

With  a  yell  of  agony,  the  giant  threw  up  his  hands  and 
seized  the  dog,  to  tear  her  off;  but  Nelly  held  fast.  He 
might  have  torn  her  in  two,  but  he  could  not  have  made  her 
let  go  her  hold  upon  his  throat.  He  raised  his  huge  fist  to 
brain  her. 

"  Do  N'T  hurt  the  dog,"  cried  Sybil,  starting  up  and  seiz 
ing  his  arm  ;  her  palsy  of  terror  dispelled  by  her  love  for 
her  faithful  little  four-footed  friend. 


NELLY     TO     THE     RESCUE.  91 

"  DOWN,  traitor  and  coward  !  "  shouted  another  voice. 

And  all  started  and  looked  around  to  recognize  the  robber 
captain  standing  before  them,  with  a  pistol  levelled  straight 
at  the  head  of  his  lieutenant. 

"  Call  this  brute  oif,  then.  She  's  cutting  my  throat  with 
her  cursed  teeth.  Call  her  off,  I  say,  or  I'll  wring  her  in 
two,  like  a  worm,"  gurgled  the  half-strangled  monster,  as 
he  shook  off  the  clasp  of  Sybil,  and  seized  the  little  dog. 

"  DROP  YOUR  HAND,  you  villain,  or  I  '11  shoot  you  where 
you  stand  ! "  thundered  the  captain,  cocking  his  pistol. 

The  bully  instantly  obeyed. 

"  Come,  Nelly  !  dear  Nelly  !  "  called  Sybil,  sinking  to  a 
sitting  posture  on  the  side  of  her  bed. 

The  obedient  little  terrier  immediately  let  go  her  hold, 
and  leaped  down  into  her  mistress'  lap,  and  with  barks  of 
delight  began  to  lick  her  hands  and  face. 

Sybil,  utterly  overcome  by  the  rapid  events  and  conflict 
ing  emotions  of  the  last  few  minutes,  burst  into  a  passion 
of  tears,  as  she  clasped  the  little  creature  to  her  bosom. 

"  Madam,"  said  the  robber  captain — suddenly  changing 
his  whole  manner  as  he  turned  towards  the  lady,  took  off 
his  hat,  and  subdued  his  voice  to  its  softest  and  smoothest 
tones — "  Madam,  I  will  relieve  you  of  the  presence  of  this 
ruffian  ;  and  to-morrow  I  will  make  such  amends  to  you, 
for  this  insult,  as  may  lie  in  my  power." 

Sybil  did  not  and  could  not  answer  him.  She  only 
clasped  her  little  dog  closer  to  her  heart  and  wept. 

"  And  now,  sir,"  said  the  captain,  sternly,  wheeling 
around  upon  his  huge  lieutenant,  and  pointing  to  the  outlet 
of  the  grotto,  "  go  before  me  out  of  this  !  This  crime  must 
be  accounted  for  at  another  time  and  place." 

The  crestfallen  monster  slouched  out  of  the  cavern,  fol 
lowed  by  his  captain,  who  turned  once  more,  at  leaving,  to 
say : 

"  Rest  in  peace  now,  lady.  You  shall  no  more  be  dis 
turbed.  And  I  will  send  Gentiliska  to  stay  with  you." 


92  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  Oh  thanks  !  thanks  !  do  so  !  pray  do  so  !  "  said  Sybil, 
eagerly. 

When  she  was  left  alone  with  her  little  dog,  she  fell  to 
caressing  and  fondling  her,  as  with  all  her  heart  and  soul. 

"  Oh,  Nelly !  darling  Nelly  !  what  a  little  heroine  you  are  ! 
But  how  did  you  come  here,  Nelly  ?  "  she  inquired,  holding 
the  little  creature's  curly  head  between  her  hands,  and  gaz 
ing  down  into  its  soft  brown  eyes.  "  How  did  you  find  me, 
Nelly  ?  " 

Nelly  lapped  her  lady's  cheek,  and  then  jumped  down  and 
ran  to  the  outlet  of  the  cavern,  and  then  ran  back  and 
jumped  again  into  her  lady's  lap. 

"  Oh,  yes,  Nelly  dear,  I  understand.  You  came  that  way 
and  found  me  here.  But  that  tells  me  nothing.  How  did 
you  know  I  was  here,  little  doggy  ?  " 

Poor  little  Skye  terrier !  She  knew  that  a  question  was 
asked  her,  and  she  tried  her  best  in  her  eloquent  dumb  way 
to  answer  it.  And  while  she  was  jumping  off  and  on  her 
mistress'  lap,  and  whining  and  caressing,  the  cavern  door 
was  darkened  once  more,  and  Gentiliska  entered. 

"  Oh,  I  am  so  glad  you  have  come  !  Be  quiet,  Nelly, 
darling  ;  that 's  a  girl,  you  know,"  exclaimed  Sybil,  speak 
ing  first  to  her  visitor,  and  then  to  her  little  dog,  who 
seemed  inclined  to  make  some  hostile  demonstrations  against 
the  supposed  enemy. 

"Why,  what  dog  is  that?"  inquired  Gentiliska,  her 
mouth  and  eyes  wide  open  with  amazement. 

"  She  is  my  dog,  my  dear,  darling,  devoted,  brave  little 
Nelly,"  replied  Sybil,  piling  on  the  complimentary  adjec 
tives.  And  I  leave  it  to  any  reader  of  mine  if  Nelly  did 
not  deserve  them  all. 

"  But — how  on  the  face  of  the  earth  did  she  come 
here  ?  "  gasped  Gentiliska. 

"  She  did  n't  come  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  but  through 
the  bowels  of  the  earth.  So  she  says,  and  I  never  knew 
her  to  tell  a  falsehood." 


NELLY     TO     THE     K  E  S  C  U  E.  93 

"  But — how  came  she  to  trace  you  here  ?  " 

"  Ah  !  that 's  just  what  I  have  been  inquiring  of  her, 
and  she  has  been  trying  to  explain  to  me.  You  know  these 
four-footed  friends  of  ours  have  a  good  deal  of  difficulty  in 
communicating  with  us — through  our  stupidity,  bless  you, 
not  theirs.  They  can  understand  us  a  great  deal  better 
than  we  can  comprehend  them.  Nelly  knows  very  well 
what  I  ask  her,  and  she  answers  my  question ;  but  I  do  n't 
in  the  least  understand  what  the  says." 

"  But — when  did  she  come  ?     You  know  that." 

"  She  came  in  the  nick  of  time  to  fly  at  Moloch's  throat 
and  hold  him  till  Satan  came  to  deliver  me." 

Here  the  girl  burst  into  a  peal  of  laughter  that  .almost 
offended  Sybil,  who  gravely  inquired : 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  " 

"  I  am  laughing  at  your  hallucination  that  Satan  came 
to  deliver  you." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  inquired  Sybil,  surprised  and 
displeased  at  the  girl's  untimely  mirth. 

"  Why,  you  goose,"  laughed  Gentiliska,  "  do  n't  you 
know,  can  't  you  see,  that  Satan  is  a  hundred  times  worse 
and  a  thousand  times  more  dangerous  than  Moloch  ?  I 
tell  you  that  Captain  '  Inconnu '  came  to  your  cave  on  the 
same  errand  that  brought  his  lieutenant  here.  Only,  as  he 
happened  to  be  the  last  comer,  and  as  he  found  the  other 
here,  he  chose  to  take  credit  as  your  deliverer !  Bosh ! 
your  little  dog  saved  you.  No  other  under  Heaven  did !  " 

"  How  do  you  know  these  facts  ?  " 

"  By  watching.     You  know  when  I  left  you  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  go  on." 

"  As  I  was  returning  to  my  own  den,  I  saw  a  shadow 
pass  before  me,  and  then  I  knew  that  we  had  been  tracked 
to  this  place,  but  whether  by  Satan  or  Moloch,  or  any  other 
ofle  of  the  band,  I  could  not  tell.  By  the  time  I  had  crept 
back  to  the  entrance  of  the  large  cavern,  the  spy  must  have 


94  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

regained  his  place,  for  they  were  all  at  the  table  as  1  had 
left  them." 

"  Why  then  did  you  not  return  to  me,  since  you  knew 
that  my  place  of  concealment  was  discovered?"  inquired 
Sybil,  reproachfully. 

"Because  I  could  do  you  better  service  by  staying  out 
side  and  watching,  which  I  did.  About  an  hour  ago,  as  I 
sat  watching  and  listening  in  my  own  den,  I  heard  a 
stealthy  step,  and  peeping  out,  I  saw  the  huge  form  of  Mo 
loch  stealing  towards  your  retreat.  I  stepped  out  silently, 
and  stole  softly  after  him,  with  the  full  intention  of  running 
back,  giving  the  alarm,  and  raising  the  whole  band,  in  case 
my  suspicions  should  be  true,  that  he  intended  to  harm 
you.  Of  course  I  could  not  have  helped  you  at  all,  if  I 
had  been  in  here  with  you.  He  would  n't  have  let  me  pass 
out  to  have  roused  the  men.  He  would  have  brained  me 
on  the  spot,  and  had  you  at  his  mercy,  do  you  see  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  see.  Oh,  Heaven !  deliver  me  from  this 
dreadful  place  ! "  sighed  Sybil. 

"All  in  good  time.  I  followed  Moloch,  until  I  saw  him 
take  the  little  turn  that  led  to  your  den.  Then  I  turned 
and  fled,  or  was  about  to  fly  to  rouse  the  men  to  your 
rescue,  when  I  saw  the  graceful  figure  of  Satan  gliding  to 
wards  me.  As  in  that  half-darkness  I  had  recognized  Mo 
loch  only  by  his  huge  form,  so  now  I  knew  Satan  only  by 
his  graceful,  gliding  motions.  I  drew  back  into  a  crevice 
of  the  rock,  and  waited  until  he  had  passed  me  and  taken 
the  same  turn  towards  your  den.  And  then  I  knew  that 
you  were  quite  safe.  Either  of  these  men  alone  would 
have  been  fatal  to  you ;  but  together  they  were  perfectly 
harmless.  But  just  then  I  heard  a  dog  bark,  where  never 
a  dog  had  barked  before.  I  stole  after  Satan  tpwards  the 
entrance  of  this  place,  and  hid  myself  to  listen  to  the  fun. 
I  heard  the  row.  Oh,  was  n't  Captain  '  Inconnu's '  right 
eous  indignation  fine  ?  At  length  I  heard  Satan  order  Mo- 


NELLY     TO     THE     RESCUE.  95 

locli  to  leave  the  place,  and  then  I  heard  him  tell  you  that 
he  would  send  me  to  stay  with  you.  Then  I  thought  it 
was  about  time  for  me  to  leave,  and  I  stole  away  and  fled 
as  fast  as  I  could  towards  my  own  den.  And  when  I  got 
there  I  covered  myself  up  in  my  hed  and  feigned  sleep, 
when  the  gallant  captain  came  to  call  me.  So  here  I  am." 

"  Oh  that  Heaven  would  deliver  me  from  this  dreadful 
place  !  "  repeated  Sybil. 

"  All  in  good  time,  as  I  said  before.  And  now  I  think 
you  had  better  try  to  sleep.  The  little  dog  will  watch  us 
and  give  the  alarm,  in  case  any  other  daring  marauder 
should  venture  to  intrude  on  us/'  counselled  the  girl. 

"  Sleep  !  I  have  scarcely  slept  a  whole  night  since  I  was 
forced  to  leave  my  home.  Sleep  !  the  best  sleep  I  have  had 
has  been  more  like  swooning,  and  has  befallen  me  in  the 
day-time.  I  cannot  sleep." 

'•  Well,  then,  please  to  be  quiet  while  I  sleep.  I  'm 
fagged  out  with  all  this,"  said  Gentiliska,  throwing  herself 
down  on  the  mossy  floor  of  the  cave,  and  settling  herself 
comfortably  to  rest. 

Meanwhile  Sybil  sat  with  her  tired  little  dog  lying  on 
her  lap.  She  was  too  wretched  to  think  of  resting,  too 
anxious  to  think  of  anything  but  escape.  Nothing  that 
could  happen  to  her  in  the  outer  world  seemed  so  appalling 
as  the  dangers  that  surrounded  her  here.  And  while  her 
companion  slept  soundly,  Sybil  racked  her  brain  for  means 
of  escape. 

People  before  now,  chained  in  dungeons  and  weakened 
by  imprisonment,  have  nevertheless  contrived  to  burst  their 
fetters  and  break  through  bolts  and  bars,  and  press  through 
guards,  and  effect  their  freedom.  And  here  was  she,  a  cap 
tive  certainly,  but  neither  fettered  nor  locked  up,  nor 
guarded  except  by  one  sleeping  girl.  Why  could  she  not 
make  good  her  escape  ?  What  should  hinder  her,  if  only 
she  knew  how  to  find  her  \vay  out  of  this  labyrinth  ? 


96  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

In  her  restlessness  and  distress,  she  groaned  and  lifted 
her  hands  to  her  head. 

Her  little  dog  immediately  woke  up,  and  in  quick  sympa 
thy  climbed  up  to  her  bosom,  and  whining,  licked  her  face. 

A  sudden  inspiration  filled  the  soul  of  Sybil,  and  directed 
her  course. 

"  If  this  poor  little  four-footed  friend  of  mine,  with  noth 
ing  but  her  instinct  and  her  affection  to  guide  and  sustain 
her,  if  she  contrived  to  find  me,  hid  away  as  I  was  from  all 
human  help,  surely  2,  with  my  higher  intelligence  and 
greater  powers,  should  be  able  to  find  my  way  out  of  this 
labyrinth  with  her  help." 

Saying  this  to  herself,  Sybil  tenderly  caressed  her  little 
dog,  then  lifted  it  to  her  bosom,  wrapped  Beatrix  Pendle- 
ton's  camel's  hair  shawl  closely  around  her,  and  went  to 
the  entrance  of  the  cavern  through  which  little  Nelly  had 
entered. 

Here  she  paused  for  a  moment  to  listen.  All  was  silent 
except  for  the  deep  breathing  of  Gentiliska,  that  only 
proved  how  profound  was  the  sleep  of  the  girl. 

Then  she  caressed  her  little  dog  again,  saying  in  a  low 
voice : 

"  Lyon,  Nelly  !     Where  is  Lyon  f  " 

The  little  Skye  terrier  pricked  up  her  ears  and  whim 
pered. 

Then  Sybil  was  sure  that  Nelly  understood  her  words. 
|  "  Let  us  go  find  Lyon,  Nelly  ;  Lyon  !  Lyon  !  Lyon  !  " 
said  Sj'bil,  setting  the  little  dog  down  and  harking  her  on 
by  the  way  she  had  come. 

Nelly  remembered  where  she  had  left  "  Lyon,"  and  so 
with  a  glad  bark  she  leapt  forward  and  ran  on  as  fast  as  the 
tortuous  nature  of  the  dark  subterranean  passage  would 
permit  her  to  do  ;  pausing  now  and  then  to  rest  herself,  and 
to  allow  her  mistress  time  to  overtake  her. 

"Poor,   dear   little   faithful   Nelly!  don't   run   so   fast. 


NELLY     TO     THE     RESCUE.  97 

You  were  tired  almost  to  death  when  you  came  in  from 
your  first  journey,  and  now  you  set  out  immediately  on  this 
the  moment  I  ask  you  to  do  it ;  but  abate  your  zeal,  dear 
little  friend,  or  you  will  not  be  able  to  hold  out  to  the  end," 
said  Sybil,  sitting  down  and  caressing  her  little  dog  while 
they  both  rested. 

When  they  re-commenced  their  journey,  they  found  the 
passage  growing  narrower,  darker,  and  more  tortuous  than 
before.  They  were  compelled  to  move  slowly  and  cau 
tiously. 

Sybil  had  already  recognized  the  natural  underground 
road  by  which  she  had  been  brought  to  the  robber's  cave ; 
but  she  did  not  know  this  portion  of  it.  So  she  supposed 
that  she  must  have  been  brought  through  it  while  in  that 
state  of  unconsciousness  into  which  she  had  fallen  from  ter 
ror  on  first  being  seized  by  the  masked  and  shrouded  forms 
of  the  men  who  had  carried  her  off.  She  therefore  hoped 
that  she  was  near  the  outlet  of  the  subterranean  passage. 

But  where  that  outlet  might  be,  she  could  not  guess. 
The  last  she  remembered  before  falling  into  that  swoon  of 
horror,  was  the  vault  of  the  Haunted  Chapel.  The  first 
she  saw,  on  recovering  herself,  was  the  middle  of  the  sub 
terranean  passage.  But  whether  that  passage  had  started 
from  the  vault,  or  whether  the  men  had  carried  her  any  dis 
tance  over  the  upper  earth,  before  descending  into  it,  she 
had  no  means  of  knowing  or  surmising.  She  must  wait 
for  the  revelation  at  the  end  of  this  underground  road. 

The  end  was  fast  approaching.  Far  ahead,  a  little,  dim 
dot  of  gray  light  kept  dodging  right  and  left  before  her 
eyes,  following  as  it  were  the  abrupt  turning  of  the  passage. 
It  drew  nearer,  nearer,  and  now  at  last  it  was  before  her. 

The  little  dog  that  had  been  trotting  beside  her  mistress, 
now  sprang  past  her  and  began  to  dig  away  at  the  hole  with 
her  paws. 

Sybil  stooped  down,  and  peered  through  it.  By  the  early 
6 


98  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

light  of  the  now  dawning  day,  she  discerned  a  section  of  a 
foundation  wall,  that  she  felt  sure  must  be  a  part  of  the  old 
vault  under  the  Haunted  Chapel. 

The  little  dog  now  jumped  through  the  hole,  and  turned 
around  and  pawed  and  whimpered,  as  if  inviting  and 
expecting  Sybil  to  follow  her. 

She  understood  the  situation  well  enough  now.  She 
knew  that  this  small  hole  was  the  entrance  from  the  under 
ground  passage  into  the  vault,  and  that  it  must  have 
become  partly  filled  up  by  the  falling  in  of  the  bricks  and 
mortar  at  the  blowing  up  of  the  church.  She  went  to 
work  to  try  to  remove  the  obstructions.  It  was  a  work  of 
more  time  and  toil  than  of  real  difficulty.  With  her  deli 
cate  hands  she  began  to  take  away  the  broken  stones, 
timbers,  and  plaster,  until  she  pulled  out  a  short,  narrow 
piece  of  plank,  which  she  immediately  began  to  use  as  a 
tool  to  dig  away  the  refuse.  A  half  an  hour's  hard  work 
cleared  her  way  into  the  vault.  She  passed  in,  and  once 
more  saw  the  dome  of  heaven  above  her  head. 

Little  Nelly  jumped  around  her  with  delighted  barks, 
and  then  ran  up  the  broken  walls  of  the  vault,  and  turned 
around  and  looked  at  her  and  barked,  as  if  to  say : 

"  This  way  !  this  way !  " 

But  the  irregularities  in  the  dilapidated  wall,  that  fur 
nished  a  sure  foothold  for  Nelly's  little  feet,  would  not  serve 
her  mistress's  turn.  So  Sybil  looked  about  the  place,  and 
cast  around  in  her  mind  to  consider  how  she  should  contrive 
to  reach  the  upper  ground.  She  soon  saw  the  way,  but  she 
had  to  rest  before  she  could  commence  a  new  work.  So  she 
sat  down  and  called  the  dog  to  her,  and  both  remained 
quiet  for  about  ten  minutes.  And  then  Sybil  arose  and 
went  to  work,  and  piled  up  the  bricks  and  stones,  until  she 
had  raised  for  herself  a  rude  stairway  half  up  to  the  top. 
By  these,  at  some  little  risk  of  life  and  limb,  she  climbed 
out  of  the  vault,  and  found  herself  standing  on  the  edge  of 


NELLY     TO     THE     RESCUE.  99 

a  heap  of  rubbish,  which,  was  all  that  remained  of  the  old 
Haunted  Chapel. 

Here  again  she  sat  down  to  look  around  her.  The  sun 
was  just  rising  from  behind  the  mountain,  and  tinging  all 
the  wintry  scene  with  the  golden  hues  of  autumn.  Though 
it  was  a  clear,  cold,  frosty  morning,  Sybil  was  perspiring 
from  her  late  hard  work,  so  she  drew  her  heavy  shawl  around 
her  shoulders  to  protect  her  from  a  chill  while  she  rested. 
The  little  terrier,  who  had  leaped  up  after  her  mistress, 
would  not  rest,  but  continued  to  jump  about  and  bark,  as  if 
to  testify  her  joy  and  triumph  in  a  work  accomplished. 
Every  leap  -and  bark  said  as  plainly  as  tongue  could  have 
spoken  the  words : 

"  I  have  found  her,  and  brought  her  back  I  I  knew  I 
could !  I  knew  I  could !  I  have  done  it  at  last !  I  have 
done  it  at  last ! " 

"  I  know  you  have,  Nelly  dear,  and  I  love  you  better 
than  anybody  in  the  world  except  Lyon  !  But  now  I  want 
you  to  help  me  to  find  Lyon,  Nelly  !  Lyon  !  Lyon  !  "  said 
Sybil,  holding  the  little  terrier's  face  between  her  hands 
and  gazing  into  its  loving  brown  eyes. 

Nelly  jumped  away  at  her  bidding  and  ran  all  over  the 
place  snuffing  zealously  for  some  moments,  and  then  find 
ing  herself  clearly  at  fault,  ran  back  and  whimpered  her 
disappointment  on  her  mistress'  lap. 

"  You  have  lost  trace  and  scent  of  Lyon  !  Oh,  Nelly  ! 
Nelly !  what  shall  we  do  ?  Venture  back  boldly  to  Black 
Hall  ?  Kun  right  in  the  teeth  of  the  law  officers,  and  be 
snapped  up  by  them  ?  "  sighed  Sybil. 

Nelly  understood  "a  horror  in  the  words,  if  not  the 
words,"  and  howled  dismally. 

Just  at  that  moment  a  halting  step  was  heard  approach 
ing,  and  a  sad  voice  sighing : 

"  I  sorter  can 't  give  her  up  !  No,  I  can 't !  Ef  she  did 
bite  me,  it  wa'n't  outen  malice  to  me,  but  outen  dewotion  to 


100  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

the  mistess— on'y  to  make  me  drap  her  down,  so  she  could 
go  back  to  dis  vault  and  wait  for  her  mistess,  which  I  do 
expect  she  have  starved  to  death  by  dis  time !  But  I  '11 
see.  Nelly.  Nelly!" 

Sybil's  heart  leaped  with  joy  at  recognizing  the  voice  of 
her  faithful  servant  Joe.  And  Nelly  jumped  forward  with  a 
cry  of  delight  to  meet  him. 

"  So  you  is  here  yet  in  dis  supernumerary  speer.  Thank 
my  Marster  in  Heaven  for  dat !  "  exclaimed  Joe,  stooping 
painfully,  while  he  leaned  upon  his  crutch,  to  lift  the  little 
dog  to  his  bosom.  "  But  who  dat  young  o'man,  Nelly  ?  " 
continued  Joe,  whose  eyesight  was  none  of  the  best,  pausing 
abruptly  and  staring  at  Sybil,  who  was  completely  disguised 
by  the  large  India  shawl  and  the  red  merino  gown,  both  of 
which  were  entirely  opposite  to  her  usual  style  of  dress. 

Joe  hobbled  towards  the  supposed  stranger  cautiously. 

"  J)o  i>'t  you  know  mo,  dear  old  Joe?"  inquired  Sybil, 
dropping  the  shawl  from  her  head  and  rising  to  her  feet. 

^JL:, 

"  Ah-h*h-ah f&  felled  Joe  in  a  prolonged  howl  of  horror 
at  wh^ne  took  'to  be  a  ghost ! 

And  thru,  as  he  could  not  run  away,  he  dropped  clog  and 
crutch,  fell  flat  upon  his  face  and  roared  for  mercy. 

Sybil  and  her  little  dog  both  tried  to  soothe  and  reassure 
him — Sybil  by  repeating  to  him  over  and  over  again  that 
she  was  alive  and  well,  and  that  there  was  nothing  what 
ever  to  fear  at  that  moment;  and  little  Nelly,  by  running 
around  him  and  trying  to  poke  her  nose  under  his  face  to 
find  a  place  to  kiss  or  to  lick. 

But  Joe  for  a  time  was  perfectly  inaccessible  to  reason  ; 
and  Sybil,  in  discouragement,  left  him  to  recover  himself 
alone,  while  she  went  and  sat  down  at  some  distance  to  wait 
the  issue  of  the  event. 

After  a  little  while  Joe  slowly  lifted  up  his  head,  and  cau 
tiously  glanced  around,  whispering : 

"  Is  she  gone  ?  " 


NELLY     TO     THE      RESCUE.  101 

"  No,"  answered  Sybil,  sharply  ;  "  I  am  not  gone !  I  am 
sitting  here  waiting  for  you  to  come  to  your  senses  ! " 

Joe,  who  after  the  first  glimpse  had  not  dared  to  look 
upon  the  ghost,  now  ventured  from  this  safe  distance  to 
steal  a  glance.  The  glance  grew  into  a  gaze,  and  then  he 
spoke  : 

"  Miss  Sybil—" 

«  Well,  Joe  ?  " 

"Is  it  you?" 

"  Yes,  it  is  I." 

"But  is  you  alibe?" 

"  Yes,  I  'm  alive." 

"  Is  you  sure  ?  " 

"  I  am  hungry  and  mad !    That  should  make  me  sure." 

"  —Mad  'long  o '  me,  Miss  Sybil  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  mad  with  you  for  being  such  a  fool ! " 

"  But  I  thought  you  was  a  ghostess  !  " 

"  Bosh  !  you  have  n't  as  much  sense  as  little  Nelly !  "  ex* 
claimed  Sybil,  affecting  more  anger  than  she  really  felt. 

"But  an 't  you  dead?"  mysteriously  inquired  Joe,  gaz 
ing  at  the  pale  face  of  his  mistress,  now  very  pale  indeed 
through  all  that  she  had  suffered.  "  An't  you  really  dead, 
Miss  Sybil  ?  " 

"  Not  much,  Joe." 

"  But  wan't  you  robbed  and  murdered  by  them  riporate 
willains  ?  " 

"  Neither  the  one  nor  the  other,  Joe !  I  am  safe  and 
sound,  and  have  my  money  and  jewels  still  about  me." 

"  But — wan't  you  reducted  ?  " 

"  I  was  abducted,  Joe ;  but  not  harmed !  It  is  a  long 
story,  Joe.  I  cannot  tell  it  now,  because  I  want  to  know 
about  ray  husband.  Is  he  safe  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Miss  Sybil,  he  's  all  right  now !  only  grieving  arter 
you  !  'cause  everybody  beliebes  as  you  perished  in  the  blow 
ing  up  of  the  old  chapel.  Lord !  where  was  you  all  the 
time  ?  Did  Nelly  find  you  ?  " 


102  TRIED     FOB     HER     LIFE. 

"  Yes,  Nelly  found  me ;  but—" 

"  Lord  !  the  sense  of  that  little  thing  ! " 

"  — But  tell  me  about  my  husband !     Where  is  he  ! " 

"  He  is  at  Capping  Pendulum's,  a  doing  very  well  now." 

"  Doing  very  well  now  I  That  means  he  has  been  doing 
badly  lately !  Has  he  been  ill  ? "  exclaimed  Sybil,  in 
breathless  anxiety. 

"  No,  Miss  Sybil ;  but  he  was  in  the  old  Haunted  Chapel 
when  de  debbil  blowed  it  up." 

"  Oh,  good  heavens  ! "  cried  Sybil,  clasping  her  hands, 
and  unable  to  speak  another  word. 

"  Do  n't  be  scared  !  he  wasn  't  hurt  not  to  speak  of;  only 
stunned  and  bruised  a  bit.  And  he 's  all  right  now.  On'y 
grievin'  of  hisse'f  to  death,  which  is  perfec'ly  nateral,  you 
see.  Goodness  knows  as  I  myse'f  hasn  't  eat  a  meal's  wit- 
tels,  nor  likewise  sleeped  a  wink  o'  sleep,  since  gone  you 's 
been  !  And  oh  !  how  I  thank  my  Heavenly  Marster  as  has 
'stored  you  to  us  once  more  alive  and  well ! "  cried  Joe, 
hobbling  towards  Sybil,  sinking  at  her  feet,  and  giving  way 
to  his  feelings  in  a  burst  of  sobs  and  tears. 

Sybil  raised  him  up,  and  then  noticed  for  the  first  time 
how  lame  he  was. 

"  It 's  nothin'  to  speak  on,  Miss  Sybil.  On'y  a  sprained 
ankle.  I  can  get  on  well  enough  with  a  crutch.  And  hero 
I  am  as  willin'  and  able  to  sarve  you  as  ever,"  said  the  poor 
fellow,  earnestly. 

"  Thanks,  dear  Joe !  I  want  you,  if  you  can,  to  go  with 
me  to  my  husband  immediately." 

"  But,  Miss  Sybil,  honey,  you  look  so  pale  and  weak  and 
wore  out.  Better  stay  here  while  I  go  and  get  a  conwey- 
ance." 

"  No,  no,  no,  Joe  !  It  would  take  you  too  long,  and  I 
cannot  wait.  I  can  walk,"  said  Sybil,  impatiently  rising 
and  drawing  the  shawl  up  over  her  head,  for  she  had  no  hat 
or  bonnet. 


THE     SECOND      FLIGHT..  103 

"  Name  o'  de  Lord,  then  come  on,  honey,"  replied  Joe, 
who  knew  it  would  be  useless  to  oppose  his  mistress  when 
she  was  fully  bent  on  any  purpose. 

They  set  out  together,  picking  their  way  slowly  over  the 
heaps  of  rubbish  that  filled  the  churchyard  and  lay  between 
them  and  the  narrow  path  leading  through  the  thicket  to 
the  river  road. 

Little  Nelly  followed  faithfully  at  their  heels. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  SECOND  FLIGHT. 

A  beam  of  comfort,  like  the  moon  through  clouds, 
Gilds  the  black  horror  and  directs  their  way. — DKTDZK. 

IT  was  yet  early  morning,  and  Lyon  Berners  still  lay  on 
his  comfortable  bed  in  the  spacious  front  chamber,  at  Pen- 
dleton  Hall.  The  window  shutters  were  open,  admitting  a 
fine  view  of  the  wooded  mountains,  not  yet  wholly  divested 
of  their  gay  autumn  hues.  A  fine  wood  fire  blazed  in  the 
broad  fireplace.  A  nice  breakfast  stood  on  a  little  stand  by 
the  bed-side.  A  good-humored,  motherly  looking  negro 
woman  presided  over  the  little  meal,  while  Captain  Pendle- 
ton  stood  by  the  invalid,  trying  to  persuade  him  to  take 
nourishment. 

"  But  I  have  no  inclination,  dear  friend,"  pleaded  Mr. 
Berners,  as  he  reached  out  his  pale  hand,  took  a  morsel  of 
bread  from  the  plate,  and  put  it  to  his  lips. 

"  You  must  eat  without  inclination,  then,  Berners.  It  is 
your  duty  to  live,"  remarked  Captain  Pendleton. 

"  But,  in  the  name  of  Heaven,  what  have  I  left  to  live 
for  ?  "  groaned  the  bereaved  husband. 

"  For  a  future  of  usefulness,  if  not  of  happiness ;  for  a 

V 


104  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

future  of  duty,  if  not  of  domestic  joys,"  replied  the  captain, 
earnestly. 

Footsteps  were  heard  upon  the  stairs  without,  but  no  one 
heeded  them. 

" '  Duty/  '  usefulness  ! '  "  bitterly  echoed  Lyon  T3erners. 
"  I  might  indeed  have  lived  and  labored  for  them,  and  for 
my  country  and  my  kind,  if — if —  Oh,  Sybil !  Sybil !  Oh, 
Sybil!  Sybil!  My  young,  sweet  wife!"  He  broke  off, 
and  groaned  with  the  insufferable,  tearless  agony  of  a  strong 
man's  grief, 

"  HERE  SHE  is,  MARSTER  !  Bress  de  Lord,  here  she  is, 
and  Nelly  too !  Nelly  found  her !  "  frantically  exclaimed 
Joe,  bursting  open  the  chamber  door,  while  Sybil  flew  past 
him  and  threw  herself  with  a  sob  of  delight  into  the  arms 
of  her  husband.  His  brain  reeled  with  the  sudden,  over 
whelming  joy,  as  he  clasped  his  wife  to  his  heart. 

"  Good  Heaven,  man !  why  did  you  not  prepare  your 
master  for  this  ?  "  was  the  first  question  Captain  Pendleton 
thought  of  asking  the  negro. 

Joe  stared,  and  found  nothing  to  answer.  He  did  not 
understand  preparation. 

Nelly  jumped  upon  the  bed,  and  insisted  upon  being  re 
cognized  ;  but  nobody  noticed  her.  Noble  humanity  is  sin 
gularly  ungrateful  to  their  four-footed  friends. 

Lyon  Berners,  forgetful  of  everybody  and  everything 
else  in  the  world,  was  gazing  fondly,  wonderingly  into  his 
wife's  beautiful  pale  face.  Sis  face  was  like  marble. 

"  My  own,  my  own,"  he  murmured.  "  By  what  miracle 
have  you  been  preserved  ?  " 

Sybil  could  not  answer  ;  she  could  only  sob  for  joy  at  this 
reunion,  forgetful,  poor  child,  of  the  awful  danger  in  which 
she  still  stood. 

Captain  Peudleton  remembered  it.  He  first  looked 
around  to  take  note  of  who  was  in  the  room.  There  were 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berners,  himself,  Joe,  and  the  colored  woman 


THE     SECOND      FLIGHT.  105 

Margy — only  one  new  witness,  if  there  were  no  others  out 
side  who  might  have  seen  the  entrance  of  Sybil. 

He  went  and  locked  the  door,  that  no  one  else  should 
enter  the  chamber.  And  then  he  called  Joe  apart  to  the 
distant  window. 

"  You  very  reckless  fellow  !  tell  me  who  besides  ourselves 
have  seen  Mrs.  Berners  enter  this  house." 

"  Not  a  singly  soul,  marster,  outen  dis  room.  We  walk 
all  de  way  from  de  Haunted  Chapel,  and  did  n't  meet  no 
body  we  knowed.  Miss  Sybil  she  keep  de  shawl  over  her 
head.  Dem  as  did  meet  us  could  n't  a  told  who  she  was 
or  even  if  she  was  white  or  brack.  When  we  got  home 
here,  I  jes  opens  de  door  like  I  always  do,  and  Miss  Sybil 
she  follow  me  in,  likewise  Nelly.  Nobody  seed  us,  likewise 
we  seed  nobody,  'cept  it  was  Jerome,  as  was  jest  a  passin' 
outen  de  back  door  wid  a  breakfast  tray  in  his  hands  ;  but 
he  did  n't  see  us,  acause  his  back  was  to  us,  which  that  fel 
low  is  always  too  lazy  to  look  over  his  own  shoulder,  no 
matter  what  may  be  behind  him,"  said  Joe,  contemptu 
ously. 

"  That  is  true ;  but  lucky  on  this  occasion.  Then  you 
are  certain  that  no  one  out  of  this  room  knows  of  Mrs. 
Berner's  presence  in  the  house  ?  " 

(i  Sartain  sure,  marster !  "  answered  Joe,  in  the  most  em 
phatic  manner. 

"  Then  I  must  warn  you  not  to  hint — mind,  Joe — not  so 
much  as  to  hint  the  fact  to  any  living  soul,"  said  the  cap 
tain,  solemnly. 

"  Hi,  Marse  Capping !  who  you  think  is  a  'fernal  fool  ? 
Not  dis  Joe,"  answered  the  negro,  indignantly. 

"  Mind,  then,  that 's  all,"  repeated  the  captain,  who 
then  dismissed  Joe,  and  beckoned  the  motherly  looking  col 
ored  woman  to  come  to  him. 

"  Margy,"  he  whispered,  "  do  you  understand  the  horri 
ble  danger  in  which  Mrs.  Berners  stands?" 


106  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

11  Oh,  my  good  Lord,  Marse  Clement,  do  n't  I  understand 
it  ?  My  blood  runs  cold  and  hot  by  turns  every  time  I 
look  at  her  and  think  of  it,"  muttered  the  woman,  with  a 
dismayed  look. 

"  I  am  glad  you  feel  and  appreciate  this  peril.  It  is  said 
that  no  secret  is  safe  that  is  known  to  three  persons.  This 
secret  is  known  to  five :  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berners,  Joe,  you, 
and  myself !  I  think  I  can  rely  on  the  secresy  of  all,"  said 
Captain  Pendleton,  with  a  meaning  look. 

"  You  can  rely  on  mine,  Marse  Clement !  I  'd  suffer  my 
tongue  to  be  tored  out  by  the  roots  afore  ever  I  'd  breathe  a 
word  about  her  being  here,"  said  the  woman. 

"  Quite  right !  Now  we  must  see  about  concealing  her 
for  a  few  days,  until  we  can  ship  her  off  to  some  foreign 
country." 

"  To  be  sure,  marster ;  but  are  you  certain  that  no  one 
down  stairs  saw  her  when  she  came  in  ?  " 

"  Quite  certain,"  answered  the  captain. 

Meanwhile  Sybil  sat  down  on  the  chair  at  the  side  of 
Lyon's  bed,  and  with  her  band  clasped  in  his,  began  to 
tell  the  story  of  her  abduction  and  captivity  among  the 
robbers. 

Lyon  Berners,  seeing  his  host  now  at  leisure,  beckoned 
him  to  approach  and  hear  the  strange  story. 

Sybil  told  it  briefly  to  her  wondering  audience. 

"  And  if  they  had  not  carried  me  off,  I  should  not  now 
be  at  liberty,"  she  concluded. 

That  this  was  true,  they  all  agreed. 

Now  Sybil  had  to  hear  the  particulars  of  the  explosion, 
and  the  names  of  its  victims.  She  shuddered  as  Captain 
Pendleton  went  over  the  list. 

"  One  feels  the  less  compassion,  however,  when  one  con 
siders  that  this  was  a  case  of  the  'engineer  hoist  with  his1 
own  petard.' " 

"Don't  you   think,   Marse   Clement,  as  Mrs.   Berners 


THE     SECOND      FLIGHT.  107 

would  be  the  better  for  a  bit  of  breakfast  ?  "  inquired  Aunt 
Margy. 

"  Certainly.  And  here  is  Berners,  touched  nothing  yet. 
And  everything  allowed  to  grow  cold  in  our  excitement  and 
forgetfulness,"  said  Captain  Pendleton,  anxiously  examin 
ing  into  the  condition  of  the  tray. 

"  Oh,  never  you  mind,  Marse  Clem.,  I  can  go  down  and 
fetch  up  some  hot  breakfast,  and  another  cup  and  sasser, 
and  then  may  be  the  master  and  missis  will  take  a  bit  of 
breakfast  here  together,"  put  in  Margy,  as  she  lifted  the 
tray  to  take  it  from  the  room. 

"  Be  careful  to  let  no  word  drop  concerning  our  new  vis 
itor,"  said  Captain  Pendleton,  as  he  cautiously  locked  the 
door  after  the  woman. 

While  she  was  gone  on  this  errand,  Sybil  told  her 
friends  further  details  of  her  life  among  the  mountain  rob 
bers  ;  among  other  matters,  she  related  the  story  of  Gentil- 
iska  Dubarry,  at  which  her  hearers  were  much  surprised. 

"  I  think  it  is  easy  to  see  through  this  matter,"  said 
Lyon  Berners,  after  a  pause  ;  "  this  robber  chief — this  Cap 
tain  Inconnu — this  Satan  of  the  band  must  be,  or  rather 
must  have  been  the  husband  of  Eosa  Blondelle,  and  most 
probably  her  assassin.  The  motive  for  all  his  crimes  seems 
clear  enough.  He  could  never  have  been  a  gentleman. 
He  must  always  have  been  an  adventurer — a  criminal  ad 
venturer.  He  married  the  beautiful  young  Scotch  widow 
for  her  money,  and  having  spent  it  all,  and  discovered 
another  heiress  in  this  poor  vagrant  girl,  he  put  Rosa  out 
of  the  way,  that  he  might  be  free  to  marry  another  fortune. 

No  devil  is  so  bad,  however,  but  that  there  is  a  speck  of 
good  about  him  somewhere ;  and  this  adventurer,  gambler, 
smuggler,  robber,  murderer  was  unwilling  that  an  innocent 
woman  should  suffer  for  his  crime;  therefore  he  had  you 
abducted  to  prevent  you  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
law." 


108  TRIED      FOR      HER     LIFE. 

"  I  do  not  know,"  said  Sybil ;  "but  I  think  that  in  hav 
ing  me  carried  off,  he  yielded  to  the  threats  or  persuasions 
of  Geutiliska,  who  certainly  seemed  to  know  enough  of  the 
matter  to  give  her  great  power  over  him.  Indeed  she 
hinted  as  much  to  me.  And  she  certainly  knew  of  his  pres 
ence  at  my  mask  ball." 

"  The  daring  impudence,  the  reckless  effrontery  of  that 
man  !  "  exclaimed  Captain  Pendleton,  in  astonishment  and 
disgust. 

"  You  said,  dear  Sybil,  that  he  came  in  the  character  of 
Death  ?  "  inquired  Mr.  Berners. 

"  Yes,"  replied  his  wife,  with  a  shudder. 

"  Ah,  then  I  do  not  wonder  at  that  poor  woman's  great 
— instinctive  horror — of  that  mask  !  I  remember  now  that, 
every  time  he  approached  her,  she  shivered  as  with  an  ague 
fit.  And  yet  she  could  not  have  suspected  his  identity," 
said  Mr.  Berners. 

Next  Sybil  spoke  of  the  discovery  of  the  Pendleton  plate 
and  jewels  in  the  possession  of  the  robbers. 

"  I  am  glad  of  that,  at  all  events,  Clement,  since  it 
gives  you  a  sure  clue  to  the  recovery  of  your  stolen  goods," 
suggested  Mr.  Berners. 

"  A  clue  that  I  shall  not  now  follow,  as  to  do  so  might 
seriously  compromise  the  safety  of  Mrs.  Berners.  Our  first 
care  must  be  for  her,"  answered  Captain  Pendleton. 

"  Always  thoughtful,  always  magnanimous,  dear  friend," 
warmly  exclaimed  Lyon  Berners,  while  Sybil  eloquently 
looked  her  gratitude. 

At  that  moment  there  was  heard  a  low  tap  at  the  door, 
and  a  low  voice  saying  : 

"  It  'a  only  me,  Marse  Clem,  with  the  breakfast  things." 

The  captain  stepped  to  the  door,  unlocked  it,  and  ad 
mitted  Margy  with  the  breakfast  tray,  and  then  carefully 
locked  it  again. 

As  the  woman  drew  nearer  to  Sybil,  she  began  to  stare 


THE     SECOND     FLIGHT.  109 

in  astonishment  at  the  India  shawl  that  lady  wore  around 
her  shoulders. 

"  You  know  it,  do  yon,  Margy  ?  Well,  yes,  you  are 
right.  It  is  the  celebrated  Pendleton  shawl  that  the  cap 
tain's  great-grandfather  brought  away  from  the  palace  of 
the  Rajah,  at  the  siege  of  some  unpronounceable  place  in 
Hindostau,"  smiled  Sybil. 

"  That 's  it,"  laughed  her  host.  "  My  great-grandfather, 
a  captain  in  the  British  army,  stole  it  from  the  Kajah,  and 
Mr.  Inconnu,  a  captain  of  banditti,  took  it  from  us  ! " 

But  Margy  was  much  too  dignified  to  relish  such  jokes 
at  the  expense  of  her  master's  family,  even  from  her  mas 
ter's  lips.  She  put  the  tray  upon  the  stand  and  arranged 
the  breakfast,  all  in  stately  silence. 

Captain  Pendleton,  with  old-fashioned  hospitality, 
pressed  his  guests  to  their  repast ;  and  so  Lyon  Berners 
being  propped  up  with  pillows,  and  Sybil  sitting  in  the 
easy-chair,  with  the  stand  placed  between  them,  ate  their 
breakfast  together ;  not  forgetting  to  feed  little  Nelly,  who 
was  certainly  the  most  famished  of  the  party. 

When  the  breakfast  was  over,  Margy  went  out  with  the 
tray,  followed  by  Joe. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berners  being  left  alone  with  their  host, 
the  captain  began  to  devise  means  first  for  her  temporary 
concealment  in  the  house,  and  afterwards  for  her  successful 
removal  to  a  seaport. 

"  I  confess,  Mrs.  Berners,"  began  the  captain,  "  that 
when  I  saw  you  enter  this  room  I  was  as  much  alarmed  for 
your  safety  as  astonished  at  your  appearance.  But  since 
your  servant  has  told  me,  and  you  have  confirmed  his  story, 
that  no  one  recognized  you,  either  on  the  road  or  in  the 
house,  until  you  reached  this  room,  my  anxieties  are  allay 
ed.  The  prevalent  belief  that  you  perished  in  the  explo 
sion  at  the  Haunted  Chapel  has  caused  all  pursuit  of  you 
to  be  abandoned  for  the  present.  And  so  long  as  we  can 


110  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

keep  you  out  ot  the  sight  of  others  than  the  few  who  have 
already  seen  you,  you  will  be  perfectly  secure." 

"  Yes ;  but  we  must  not  trust  to  this  security,"  inter 
rupted  Mr.  Berners ;  "  we  must  rather  avail  ourselves  of 
this  lull  in  the  excitement,  this  cessation  of  all  pursuit,  to 
get  as  fast  and  far  away  from  this  place  as  possible. 

"  Oh,  yes  !  yes  !  dear  Lyon  ! '"'  eagerly  exclaimed  Sybil, 
"  let  us  get  as  fast  and  as  far  away  from  this  place  as  we 
can.  Let  us  get  to  Europe,  or  anywhere  where  we  can  have 
rest  and  peace.  Oh  !  Heaven  only  knows  how  I  long  for 
rest  and  peace  !  " 

"  You  are  both  right.  I  shall  not  oppose  your  going ; 
but  shall  rather  speed  your  departure,  just  as  soon  as  Ber 
ners  shall  be  able  to  travel.  But  in  the  meantime  we  must 
contrive  some  place  of  safe  concealment  for  you  in  the 
house,"  said  the  captain,  as  he  arose  and  opened  an  inner 
door  leading  to  a  small  adjoining  chamber.  "Could  you 
live  in  there  for  a  few  days,  Mrs.  Berners  ?  "  he  inquired,  in 
some  uneasiness. 

"Live  in  there!  Why,  that  is  a  palace  chamber  com 
pared  to  what  I  have  been  lately  accustomed  to ! "  ex 
claimed  Sybil,  gratefully. 

"Well,  then  it  is  all  right.  That  room  is  unoccupied 
and  has  no  outlet  except  through  this.  That  shall  be  your 
private  withdrawing  room  when  the  doctor,  or  any  one  else 
who  is  not  in  our  secret,  happens  to  come  into  this  room. 
At  all  other  times  you  may  safely  take  the  freedom  of  both 
chambers,"  said  the  captain  cheerfully. 

"  A  thousand  thanks  in  words  ;  for,  ah  !  in  all  else  I  am 
bankrupt,  and  can  never  repay  your  goodness,  unless  Heaven 
should  show  me  some  singular  favor  to  enable  me  to  do  it," 
said  Sybil,  fervently. 

And  Lyon  Berners  joined  warmly  in  her  expressions  of 
gratitude. 

"  If  you,  either  of  you,  knew  how  much  gratification  it 


THE     SECOND     FLIGHT.  Ill 

gives  me  to  serve  you,  you  would  not  think  it  necessary 
to  say  a  single  word  more  on  the  subject ! "  exclaimed 
Clement  Pendleton,  flushing. 

"And  now  tell  me  about  my  dear,  bonny  Beatrix. 
Surely  she  may  see  me  !  I  hope  she  is  quite  well,"  said 
Sybil. 

"  Trix  is  always  well.  She  is  now  at  Staunton.  She  is 
one  of  your  most  devoted  friends,  Mrs.  Berners,  and  she 
will  regret  not  to  have  been  home  to  receive  you.  But  as 
for  myself,  great  as  my  faith  is  in  my  sister,  I  hardly  know 
whether  I  am  glad  or  sorry  for  her  absence  on  this  occasion. 
Certainly  the  fewer  witnesses  there  are  to  your  presence 
here,  the  better.  Beatrix  would  die  before  she  would 
knowingly  betray  you ;  but  she  might  do  it  unconsciously, 
in  which  case  she  would  never  forgive  herself,"  gravely 
replied  Captain  Pendleton. 

"  Well,  I  am  sorry  not  to  see  her.  But  at  any  rate,  after 
I  have  gone  I  wish  you  to  send  her  this  shawl,  with  my 
love,  by  some  safe  messenger,"  Sybil  requested,  smiling 
sadly. 

"  I  will  be  sure  to  do  so.  She  will  be  glad  to  get  the  old 
heirloom,  which  she  has  been  bewailing  ever  since  it  was 
lost ;  and  she  will  also  be  well  pleased  to  owe  its  restitution 
to  you,"  replied  the  Captain  ;  and  then,  surmising  that  his 
guests  might  like  to  be  left  alone  for  an  hour  or  two,  he 
arose  and  retired  from  the  room,  cautioning  Sybil  to  turn 
the  key  to  prevent  the  intrusion  of  any  one  who  was  not  to 
be  let  into  the  dangerous  secret  of  her  presence  in  the 
house. 

Three  precious  hours  of  each  other's  exclusive  company 
the  young  people  enjoyed,  and  then  Captain  Pendleton 
tapped  at  the  door  to  announce  the  approach  of  the  village 
doctor.  Sybil  unlocked  the  door,  and  hastily  retreated  into 
her  withdrawing  room,  where  she  remained  during  the 
doctor's  visit. 


112  TRIED     FOR     HKR     L 1 P  E. 

As  soon  as  the  physician  departed,  Aunt  Margy  came  in 
with  fresh  water,  clean  towels,  and  everything  else  that  was 
necessary  to  make  the  inner  chamber  comfortable  and  pleas 
ant  for  the  occupation  of  Mrs.  Berners. 

When  the  early  dinner  was  ready,  Sybil  took  hers  with 
her  husband  at  his  bed-side. 

And  from  that  time,  as  long  as  they  remained  at  Captain 
Pendleton's  house,  they  ate  their  meals  together. 

Twelve  tranquil  days  they  passed  at  Pendleton  Park. 
Their  secret  was  well  kept,  at  least  during  their  stay  at  the 
house. 

On  the  thirteenth  day,  Mr.  Berners  being  sufficiently 
recovered  to  bear  the  journey,  the  fugitive  pair  prepared 
for  their  new  flight. 

Upon  this  occasion  their  disguise  was  admirably  well 
arranged.  They  were  got  up  as  mulattoes.  Their  faces, 
necks,  and  hands  were  carefully  colored  with  fine  brown 
umber;  Sybil's  black  tresses  were  cut  short  and  crimped; 
Lyon's  auburn  hair  and  beard  were  also  crimped,  and  dyed 
black;  Sybil  was  dressed,  in  a  suit  of  Margy's  Sunday 
clothes,  and  Lyon  in  a  holiday  suit  of  Joe's. 

Serious  as  the  circumstances  were,  the  lady  and  gentle 
man  could  not  forbear  laughing  as  they  looked  into  each 
other's  faces. 

"  When  we  introduced  mask  balls  into  this  quiet  country 
place,  we  had  no  idea  how  long  the  masquerading  would 
last,  so  far  as  we  were  concerned,  had  we,  dear  ?  "  inquired 
L}ron  Berners. 

Sybil  smiled  and  shook  her  head. 

They  were  armed  with  a  pass  such  as  colored  people 
were  required  to  have  from  their  masters  to  show  to  the 
authorities  before  they  could  be  permitted  to  travel. 

Our  fugitives  were  not  now  going  to  Norfolk,  where  their 
story  and  their  persons  were  too  well  known  ;  but  to  Balti 
more,  where  they  were  perfect  strangers.  So  their  pass  was 
to  this  effect : 


THE     SECOND     FLIGHT.  113 

PENDLETOTT  PAKK,  ) 

Near  Blackville,  Dec.  15th,  18—.  j 

"  To  all  whom  it  may  concern  :  This  is  to  certify  that 
my  man  Caesar,  with  his  wife  Dinah,  are  permitted  to  go 
from  this  place  to  Baltimore  to  return  between  this  date 
and  the  first  of  next  March. 

"  CLEMENT  PENDLETON. 

This  was  designed  to  protect  the  supposed  darkies  until 
they  should  reach  the  Monumental  City,  where  they  were 
to  take  the  first  opportunity  of  throwing  off  their  disguises 
and  embarking  under  another  name  in  the  first  outward 
bound  ship  for  a  foreign  port. 

Provided  with  this  protection,  and  with  a  well-filled  old 
knapsack  that  "  Caesar  "  slung  over  his  shoulders,  and  with 
a  well-stuffed  old  carpet  bag  that  "  Dinah  "  carried  in  her 
hand,  the  fugitive  couple  took  a  long  last  leave  of  their 
friend,  and  entered  the  farm  wagon,  by  which  Joe  was  to 
drive  them  to  the  hamlet  of  Upton,  to  meet  the  night  coach 
for  Baltimore. 

The  night  was  very  dark ;  they  could  scarcely  see  each, 
other's  faces,  much  less  the  road  before  them. 

"  Marster,"  said  Joe,  in  his  extreme  anxiety,  "  I  hopes 
you  '11  pardon  the  liberty,  sir ;  but  has  you  thought  to  take 
money  enough  for  you  and  the  missis  ?  " 

"  Plenty,  Joe  !  Pendleton,  Heaven  bless  him,  has  seen 
to  all  that,"  smiled  Mr.  Berners. 

"  And,  Marster,  sir,  I  hopes  as  you  've  made  some  'range- 
ments  as  how  we  may  hear  from  you  when  you  gets  over 
yonder." 

"Certainly,  Joe.  A  correspondence  that  will  be  both, 
sure  and  secret  has  been  contrived  between  the  captain  and 
myself." 

"  And,  Missis,"  said  Joe,  turning  weepingly  towards  his 
lady,  "  when  you  're  over  yonder,  do  n't  forget  poor  Joe  j 
but  send  for  him  as  soon  as  ever  you  can." 
7     ' 


114  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  Indeed  I  will,  Joe,"  promised  Sybil. 
"  And,  missis !  please  do  n't  let  little  Nelly  forget  me, 
neither.     I  love  that  little  thing  like  a  child  !  " 
"  Nelly  will  not  forget  you,  Joe." 

And  the  little  dog,  that  Sybil  had  insisted  on  taking  with 
her,  even  at  the  risk  of  its  being  recognized  as  hers,  now 
jumped  up  from  her  place  at  her  mistress'  feet,  and  ran  and 
licked  Joe's  face,  as  if  to  assure  him  of  her  continued  love. 

At  which,  for  the  first  time,  Joe  burst  out  crying,  and 
sobbed  hard. 

"Come,  my  man,  prove  your  devotion  to  your  mistress  by 
deeds,  not  tears  !  Drive  fast,  or  we  will  miss  the  coach," 
Lyon  Berners  advised. 

Joe  wiped  his  eyes  with  the  cuff  of  his  coat,  and  whipped 
up  his  horses,  and  they  rattled  over  the  rocky  road  for  an 
hour  or  more  before  they  reached  the  little  hamlet,  where 
they  were  to  wait  for  the  coach.  It  was  very  late,  and  all 
Upton  was  asleep,  with  the  exception  of  the  hostlers  at  the 
stable,  where  the  coach  stopped  to  change  horses.  Here  Joo 
drew  up  his  wagon,  but  his  passengers  retained  their  seats 
while  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the  stage-coach.  They  had 
not  waited  more  than  five  minutes,  when  they  heard  the 
guard's  warning  horn  blow,  and  the  huge  vehicle  rumble 
down  the  street,  and  pull  up  before  the  stable  door. 

Very  quickly  the  tired  horses  were  taken  out  and  led 
away  to  rest,  and  the  fresh  ones  brought  forth. 

Meanwhile  Lyon  Berners  alighted,  and  spoke  to  the 
agent,  to  take  places  for  himself  and  his  wife. 

"  Show  your  pass,  my  man  !  show  your  pass  !  We  can 't 
take  you  without  a  pass.  How  do  we  know  but  you  are 
running  away  ?  "  objected  the  agent. 

Lyon  Berners  smiled  bitterly  to  think  how  near  the  man 
had  inadventertly  approached  the  truth.  He  handed  up 
the  pass,  which,  the  agent  carefully  examined  bofore  he 
returned  it,  saying : 


THE     SECOND     FLIGHT.  115 

"Yes,  that 's  all  right ;  hut  you  and  the  girl  will  have  to 
get  up  on  top,  there.  We  can't  have  any  darkies  inside, 
you  know.  And  in  fact,  if  we  could,  there  's  no  room,  you 
see  ;  the  inside  is  full." 

"  Caesar  "  helped  "  Dinah  "  up  on  the  top  of  the  coach, 
and  then  climbed  after  her.  Joe  handed  up  the  little  dog ; 
and  was  about  to  take  a  dangerously  affecting  leave  of 
his  beloved  master  and  mistress,  when  luckily  the  coachtaan 
cracked  his  whip  and  the  horses  started. 

Joe  watched  it  out  of  sight,  and  then  got  into  his  seat  on 
the  wagon,  and  drove  back  to  Pendleton  Park,  the  most  dis 
consolate  darkey  under  the  sun. 

Meanwhile  the  flying  pair  pursued  their  journey,  almost 
happy,  because  at  length  they  were  together. 

Soon  after  sunrise  the  next  morning  the  stage  reached  the 
station  at  which  it  was  to  breakfast.  Not  wishing  to  sub 
ject  their  disguise  to  the  too  prying  eyes  of  strangers  in 
broad  daylight,  they  took  the  provisions  that  they  had 
brought  along,  and  went  apart  in  the  woods  to  eat  them, 
after  which  they  resumed  their  places  on  the  top  of  the 
coach,  in  time  for  its  starting. 

At  noon,  when  the  coach  stopped  to  dine,  they  went  apart 
again  to  satisfy  their  hunger. 

It  was  not  until  night,  when  they  reached  an  obscure 
road-side  inn,  that  they  dared  to  enter  a  house  or  ask  for  a 
cup  of  tea.  Being  "darkies,"  they  were  sent  to  the  kitchen, 
where  they  were  regaled  with  a  very  hot  pot  of  the  beverage 
that  "cheers  but  not  inebriates." 

Here  also,  as  they  had  to  change  coaches,  they  were  re 
quired  to  show  their  pass  before  they  could  be  permitted  to 
take  their  uncomfortable  seats  on  the  top  of  the  vehicle  to 
continue  their  journey. 

They  travelled  both  by  day  and  night,  never  giving 
themselves  any  rest.  The  policy  of  the  first  day  was  con 
tinued  to  the  end  of  their  journey.  They  always  took  their 


116  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

meals  apart  from  other  people  during  the  broad  daylight, 
denying  themselves  the  comfort  of  a  cup  of  tea  or  coffee 
until  night,  when,  in  some  dimly  lighted  country  kitchen, 
they  could  safely  indulge  in  that  refreshment. 

At  the  end  of  the  third  day  they  arrived  at  Baltimore. 

It  was  just  nightfall  when  they  reached  the  inn  where 
the  stage  stopped.  They  alighted,  with  knapsack,  carpet 
bag,  and  dog,  and  found  themselves  on  the  sidewalk  of  a 
crowded  street. 

"  This  way,"  whispered  Lyon  Berners  to  his  wife,  as  he 
turned  into  a  by-street.  "  Sybil,"  he  continued,  when  they 
felt  themselves  comparatively  alone  in  the  less  thronged 
thoroughfare — "  Sybil,  if  we  are  to  drop  our  disguises  here, 
we  must  do  so  before  we  enter  any  inn,  because  we  should 
have  no  opportunity  afterwards,  without  detection." 

And  relieving  her  of  the  carpet  bag  and  carrying  that  as 
well  as  the  knapsack,  he  led  her  by  a  long  walk  to  the  woods 
on  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  where,  by  the  side  of  a  clear 
stream,  they  washed  the  dye  from  their  faces  and  hands,  and 
then  changed  their  upper  garments.  Their  knapsack  con 
tained  every  requisite  for  a  decent  toilet ;  and  so,  in  some 
thing  less  than  half  an  hour,  they  had  transformed  them 
selves  back  again  from  plain,  respectable  darkies,  to  plain, 
respectable  whites;  and  ''Caesar"  and  "Dinah"  became 
in  their  next  phase,  the  Eeverend  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin. 
The  only  thing  that  could  not  be  changed  was  the  color  of 
Lyon's  hair,  which,  having  been  dyed  black,  must  remain 
black  until  time  and  growth  should  restore  its  natural  color. 

As  the  Reverend  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin,  they  walked  back 
to  the  city.  At  the  first  hack  stand  "  Mr.  Martin  "  called 
a  carriage,  placed  "  Mrs.  Martin,"  with  her  pet  dog,  knap 
sack,  and  carpet  bag  in  it,  entered  and  took  a  seat  by  her 
side,  and  told  the  hackman  to  drive  to  the  best  hotel. 

"  For  it  is  our  policy  now  to  go  boldly  to  the  best,"  he 
said,  as  he  took  Sybil's  hands,  cold  from  her  outdoor  toilet, 
into  his  and  tried  to  warm  them. 


THE     SECOND      FLIGHT.  117 

They  were  driven  to  the  "  Calvert  House,"  where  Mr. 
Berners  registered  their  names  as  the  Reverend  Isaiah 
Martin  and  wife  ;  and  where  they  were  received  with  the 
respect  due  to  the  cloth,  and  shown  to  a  handsome  room  on 
the  first  floor,  which  was  cheerfully  lighted  by  a  chandelier, 
and  warmed  by  a  bright  coal  fire  in  the  grate. 

Here  poor  Sybil  enjoyed  the  first  real  repose  she  had  seen 
since  the  commencement  of  her  flight.  Here  Lyon  ordered 
a  comfortable  and  even  luxurious  supper ;  and  the  fugitive 
pair  supped  together  in  peace  and  safety. 

Although  it  was  late  when  the  table  was  cleared,  Lyon 
felt  that  no  time  was  to  be  lost  before  he  should  make  in 
quiries  about  the  outward  bound  ships.  So  having  ordered 
the  morning  and  evening  papers  to  be  brought  to  their  room, 
he  first  examined  the  shipping  advertisements,  and  finding 
that  the  "Energ)',"  Captain  Strong,  was  to  sail  for  Havre 
on  the  next  day  but  one,  taking  passengers  as  well  as  freight, 
he  put  on  his  hat,  and  leaving  Sybil  to  amuse  herself  with 
the  newspapers  during  his  absence,  he  left  the  hotel  to  see 
the  shipping  agent. 

A  strange  sense  of  peace  and  safety  had  fallen  upon 
Sybil,  and  she  sat  there  before  her  cheerful  fire  reading  the 
news  of  the  day,  and  occasional!}'  contrasting  her  situation 
now,  in  the  finest  room  of  a  large  and  crowded  hotel,  with 
her  position  but  a  few  days  before  in  the  Robbers'  Cave. 
The  time  passed  pleasantly  enough  until  the  return  of  Mr. 
Berners. 

He  entered  very  cheerfully,  telling  her  that  he  had  en 
gaged  a  cabin  passage  in  the  "  Energy,'*-  which  would  sail 
on  the  day  after  to-morrow,  and  that  they  must  be  on  board 
the  next  afternoon. 

Sybil  was  delighted  to  hear  this.  Visions  of  perfect 
freedom,  and  of  foreign  travel  with  her  beloved  Lyou,  flitted 
before  her  imagination. 

They  talked  over  their  plans  for  the  next  day,  and  then 
retired  to  bed,  and  slept  well  until  the  next  morning. 


118  TRIED     FOE     HER     LIFE. 

They  arose  and  breakfasted  early.  The  morning  was  fine 
and  clear,  and  they  wrapped  themselves  in  their  outer  gar 
ments,  and  started  with  the  intention  of  going  out  to  pur 
chase  a  couple  of  trunks  and  other  necessaries  for  their  long 
voyage. 

Lyon  was  cheerful ;  Sybil  was  even  gay ;  both  were  full 
of  bright  anticipations  for  the  future.  For  were  they  not 
flying  toward  freedom  ? 

They  had  reached  the  great  lower  halls  of  the  hotel,  when 
they  were  stopped  by  a  sound  of  altercation  in  the  office, 
which  was  on  their  right  hand  as  they  went  out. 

"I  tell  you,"  said  the  clerk  of  the  house,  in  an  angry 
voice,  "  that  there  is  no  one  of  that  name  here  !  " 

"  And  I  tell  you  there  is  !  And  there  she  is  now  !  I'd 
know  her  among  ten  thousand  !  "  exclaimed  a  harsh,  rude- 
looking  man,  who  the  next  instant  came  out  of  the  office 
and  confronted  Sybil,  saying  roughly  : 

"  I  know  you,  madam  !  You're  my  prisoner,  Madam 
Berners !  And  you'll  not  do  me,  I  reckon,  as  you  did  Pur- 
ley  !  I'm  Jones  !  And  'tan't  one  murder  you've  got  to 
answer  for  now,  but  half  a  dozen  !  " 

And  without  a  word  of  warning,  he  snapped  a  pair  of 
handcuffs  upon  the  lady's  delicate  wrists. 

"  VILLAIN  !  "  thundered  Sybil's  husband,  as  with  a  sweep 
of  his  strong  arm  he  felled  the  ruffian  to  the  floor. 

It  was  but  a  word  and  a  blow,  "  and  the  blow  came  first." 

He  caught  his  half-fainting  wife  to  his  bosom,  and  strove 
to  free  her  from  those  insulting  bracelets  ;  but  he  could  not 
wrench  them  off  without  wounding  and  bruising  her  tender 
flesh. 

Meanwhile  the  fallen  officer  sprung  to  his  feet,  and  called 
upon  all  good  citizens  to  help  him  execute  his  warrant. 

A  crowd  collected  then.  A  riot  ensued.  Lyon  Berners, 
holding  his  poor  young  wife  to  his  bosom,  vainly,  madly, 
desperately  defended  her  against  all  comers,  dealing  frantic 


THE     SECOND      FLIGHT.  119 

blows  with  his  single  right  arm  on  all  sides.  Of  course,  for 
the  time  being,  he  was  insane. 

"  Knock  him  down !  Brain  him !  hut  don't  hurt  the 
woman,"  shouted  some  one  in  the  crowd.  And  some  other 
one,  armed  with  a  heavy  iron  poker,  dealt  him  a  crashing 
blow  upon  the  hare  head.  And  Sybil's  brave  defender 
relaxed  his  protecting  hold  upon  her  form,  fell  broken, 
bleeding,  perhaps  dying  at  her  feet. 

A  piercing  scream  broke  from  her  lips.  She  stooped  to 
raise  her  husband,  but  was  at  that  instant  seized  by  the 
officer,  and  forced  from  the  spot. 

"  Shame !  shame  ! "  cried  a  bystander.  "  Take  the  hand 
cuffs  off  the  poor  woman,  and  let  her  look  at  her  husband." 

"  Poor  woman  indeed ! "  exclaimed  Jones,  the  officer, 
<¥  she 's  the  biggest  devil  alive !  Do  you  know  what  she 's 
done  ?  Not  only  murdered  a  beautiful  lady  ;  but  blown  up 
a  church  and  killed  half  a  dozen  men  ! " 

A  shudder  shook  the  crowd.  Could  this  be  true?  A 
score  of  questions  was  put  to  Bailiff  Jones.  But  he  would 
not  stop  to  answer  any  one  of  them.  Calling  his  coadjutor 
Smith  to  help  him,  they  each  took  an  arm  of  Sybil  and 
forced  her  from  the  scene. 

Faint,  speechless,  powerless  under  this  sudden  and  awful 
accumulation  of  misery,  the  wretched  young  wife  was  torn 
from  her  dying  husband  and  thrust  into  a  stage-coach, 
guarded  by  three  other  bailiffs,  and  immediately  started  on 
her  return  journey. 

Resistance  was  useless,  lamentations  were  in  vain.  She 
sat  dumb  with  a  despair  never  before  exceeded,  scarcely  ever 
before  equalled  in  the  case  of  any  sufferer  under  the  sun. 

There  were  no  other  passengers  but  the  sheriff's  officers 
and  their  one  prisoner. 

Of  the  first  part  of  this  terrible  homeward  journey  there 
is  but  little  to  tell.  They  stopped  at  the  appointed  hours 
and  stations  to  breakfast,  dine,  and  sup,  and  to  water  and 


120  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

change  the  horses,  but  never  to  sleep.  They  travelled  day 
and  night;  and  as  no  other  passenger  joined  them,  it  was 
probable  that  the  sheriff's  officers  had  engaged  all  the  seats 
for  themselves  and  their  important  charge. 

During  that  whole  horrible  journey  the  hapless  young 
wife  neither  ate,  drank,  slumbered,  nor  spoke ;  all  the  facul 
ties  of  mind  and  body,  all  the  functions  of  nature,  seemed 
to  be  suspended. 

It  was  on  the  night  of  the  third  day,  and  they  were  in 
the  last  stage  of  the  journey. 

They  were  going  slowly  down  that  terrible  mountain  pass, 
leading  to  the  village  of  Blackville.  The  road  was  even 
unusually  difficult  and  dangerous,  and  the  night  was  very 
dark,  so  that  the  coachman  was  driving  slowly  and  care 
fully,  when  suddenly  the  bits  of  the  leaders  were  seized  and 
the  coach  stopped. 

In  some  alarm  the  bailiffs  thrust  their  heads  out  of  the 
side  windows  to  the  right  and  left,  to  see  what  the  obstacle 
might  be. 

To  their  horror  and  amazement  they  found  it  surrounded 
by  half  a  score  of  highwaymen,  armed  to  the  teeth. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  NIGHT  ATTACK  ON  THE  COACH. 

"  The  sound  of  hoof,  the  flash  of  steel, 
The  robbers  round  her  coming." 

THE  road  robbers,  by  all  that 's  devilish  !  "  gasped  Jones, 
falling  back  in  his  seat. 

"  Good  gracious !  "  cried  Smith. 

And  all  the  brave  <(  buiu-baillies  "  who  had  so  gallantly 
bullied  and  brow-beaten  Sybil  and  her  sole  defender, 
dropped  panic-stricken,  paralyzed  by  terror, 


NIGHT     ATTACK      ON      THE      COACH.       121 

"  Get  out  of  this,  you  vermin  ! "  ordered  a  stern  voice  at 
one  of  the  windows. 

"  Ye — ye — yes,  gentlemen,"  faltered  Jones. 

"  Ta — take,  all  we  have,  but  spa — spa — spare  our  lives  !  " 
pleaded  Smith. 

"  Well,  well,  get  out  of  this,  you  miserable  cowards ! 
Empty  your  pockets,  and  you  shall  be  safe  !  It  would  be 
crueller  than  infanticide  to  slay  such  miserably  helpless 
wretches ! "  laughed  the  same  voice,  which  poor  Sybil,  as  in 
a  dream,  recognized  as  belonging  to  Captain  "  Inconnu." 

The  trembling  bailiffs  descended  from  the  coach  and  gave 
up  their  pocket-books  and  watches,  and  then  submitted  to 
be  tied  to  trees. 

The  coachman  and  the  guard  yielded  to  the  same  neces 
sity. 

The  horses  were  taken  from  the  coach  and  appropriated 
to  the  use  of  the  victors. 

And  lastly,  Sybil,  who  was  rendered  by  despair  indiffer 
ent  to  her  fate,  was  lifted  from  her  seat  by  the  strong  arms 
of  Moloch,  who  held  her  a  moment  in  suspense,  while  ho 
turned  to  his  chief  and  inquired : 

"  Where  now,  Captain  ?  " 

"  To  the  rendezvous  !  And  look  that  you  treat  the  lady 
with  due  deference  !  " 

"  Never  you  fear,  Captain  !  I  'm  sober  to-night !  "  an 
swered  the  giant,  as  he  threw  the  half-fainting  form  of  the 
lady  across  his  shoulders  and  strode  up  a  narrow  footpath 
leading  through  the  mountain  pass. 

Indifferent  to  fate,  to  life,  to  all  things,  Sybil  felt  herself 
borne  along  in  the  firm  embrace  of  her  rude  abductor.  As 
in  a  dream  she  heard  his  voice  speaking  to  her : 

"  Now  do  n't  you  be  afeard,  darlint !  We  an't  none  on  us 
agwine  to  hurt  a  hair  o'  your  head,  or  to  let  anybody  else  do 
it !  Bless  your  purty  face,  if  we  did  n't  carry  you  off  you  M 
spend  this  night  and  many  more  on  'cm  in  the  county  jail  1 


122  TRIED      FOR     HER      LIFE. 

and  end  by  losing  your  liberty  and  your  life  for  that  which 
you  never  did !  But  you  'a  safe  now  !  And  do  n't  you  go 
to  mistrusting  on  us  'pon  account  o'  that  night !  Why, 
Lord  love  ye  !  we  was  all  drunk  as  dukes  that  night,  else 
we  never  would  a  mislested  you  !  Lord  !  if  you'd  seen  the 
lots  of  liquor  we  'd  took  aboard,  you  would  n't  wonder  at 
nothing !  But  we 's  sober  now  !  And  so  you 's  safe  ! 
Where 's  your  little  dog  ?  Lord  bless  my  life  and  soul  how 
that  little  creetur  did  take  hold  o'  my  throat,  to  be  sure ! 
Where  is  she  ?  " 

Sybil  could  not  answer.  Indeed,  though  she  heard  the 
voice,  she  scarcely  comprehended  the  question. 

"  What !  you  won  't  speak  to  me,  eh  ?  Well,  that 's  nat 
ural  too,  but  precious  hard,  seeing  as  I  risked  my  life  to 
save  your'n ;  and  mean  you  so  well  into  the  bargain,"  con 
tinued  the  ruffian,  as  he  strode  onward  to  a  place  where 
several  horses  were  tied. 

He  selected  the  strongest  of  the  group,  mounted  and 
lifted  the  helpless  form  of  the  lady  into  a  seat  before  him, 
and  set  off  at  full  speed,  clattering  through  the  rugged 
mountain  pass  with  a  recklessness  of  life  and  limb,  that  at 
another  time  would  have  frightened  his  companion  half  out 
of  her  senses. 

But  now,  in  her  despair  of  life,  there  was  even  a  hope  in 
this  mad  career — the  hope  of  a  sudden  death. 

But  the  gigantic  ruffian  knew  himself,  his  horse,  and  his 
road,  and  so  he  carried  his  victim  through  that  fearful  pass 
in  perfect  safety. 

They  reached  a  deep,  narrow,  secluded  valley,  in  the 
midst  of  which  stood  an  old  red  sandstone  house,  closely 
surrounded  by  trees,  and  only  dimly  to  be  seen  in  the 
clouded  night  sky. 

Here  the  robber  rider  slackened  his  pace. 

The  deep  silence  that  prevailed,  the  thick  growth  of  leaf 
less  weeds  and  briars  through  which  their  horse  had  to 


NIGHT      ATTACK     ON     THE      COACH.      123 

wade,  all  showed  that  this  house  had  been  long  uninhabited 
and  the  grounds  long  uncultivated. 

Yet  there  was  some  one  on  guard ;  for  when  Moloch  rode 
up  to  the  door  and  dismounted,  and  holding  Sybil  tightly 
clasped  in  his  left  arm,  rapped  three  times  three,  with  his 
right  hand,  the  door  was  cautiously  opened  by  a  decrepit 
old  man,  who  held  a  lighted  taper  in  his  withered  fingers. 

"  Ho,  Pluto  !  who  is  here  ?  "  inquired  Moloch,  striding 
into  the  hall,  and  bearing  Sybil  in  his  arms. 

"  No  one,  sir,  but  the  girls  and  the  woman  ;  and  they 
have  just  come,"  answered  the  old  man. 

"  No  one  but  the  girls  and  the  woman  !  and  they  have 
jnst  come!  And  no  fire  made,  and  no  supper  ready? 
And  this  h — 11  of  an  old  house  colder  and  damper  than  the 
cavern  !  Won't  the  captain  be  leaping  mad,  that 's  all ! 
Come,  bestir  yourself,  bestir  yourself,  and  make  a  fire  first 
of  all.  This  lady  is  as  cold  as  death !  Where  is  Iska?" 

"  In  this  room,  sir,"  answered  the  old  man,  pushing  open 
an  old  worm-eaten  door  that  admitted  them  into  a  large 
old-fashioned  oak-pannelled  parlor,  with  a  wide  fireplace 
and  a  high  corner  cupboard,  but  without  other  furniture. 

On  the  hearth  knelt  Gentiliska,  trying  to  coax  a  little 
smouldering  fire  of  green  wood  into  a  blaze. 

"  What  the  d — 1  is  the  use  of  puffing  away  at  that  ? 
You  'd  just  as  well  try  to  set  fire  to  a  wet  sponge,"  impa 
tiently  exclaimed  Moloch. 

And  he  went  to  one  of  the  windows,  wrenched  off  a  dry 
mouldering  shutter,  broke  it  to  pieces  with  his  bare  hand, 
and  piled  it  in  among  the  green  logs.  Then  from  his 
pocket  he  took  a  flask  of  whiskey,  poured  a  portion  of  it  on 
the  weak,  red  embers,  and  in  an  instant  had  the  whole  mass 
of  fuel  in  a  roaring  blaze. 

Meanwhile  Sybil,  unable  to  stand,  had  sunk  down  upon 
the  floor,  where  she  remained  only  until  Gentiliska  saw  her 
by  the  blaze  of  the  fire. 


124  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"You  are  as  cold  as  ice  ! "  said  the  kind-hearted  girl  tak 
ing  Sybil's  hands  in  her  own,  and  trying  to  warm  them. 
"  Come  to  the  fire,"  she  continued,  assisting  the  lady  to  rise, 
and  drawing  her  towards  the  chimney.     "Sit  here,"  she 
added,  arranging  her  own  red  cloak  as  a  seat. 

"Thanks,"  murmured  Sybil.  "Thanks — you  are  very 
good  to  me." 

"  Moloch,  she  is  nearly  dead  !  Have  you  got  any  wine? 
If  you  have,  give  it  to  me  ! "  was  the  next  request  of  the 
girl. 

The  giant  lumbered  off  to  a  heap  of  miscellaneous  luggage 
that  lay  in  one  corner,  and  from  it  he  rooted  out  a  black 
bottle,  which  he  brought  and  put  in  the  hands  of  the  girl, 
saying : 

"  There  !  ha,  ha,  ha !  there 's  some  of  her  own  old  port  I 
We  made  a  raid  upon  Black  Hall  buttery  last  night,  on 
purpose  to  provide  for  her." 

"  All  right.  Now  a  tin  saucepan,  and  some  sugar  and 
spice,  old  Moloch !  and  also,  if  possible,  a  cup  or  tumbler," 
said  Gentiliska. 

The  giant  went  back  to  the  pile  in  the  corner,  and  after 
a  little  search  brought  forth  all  the  articles  required  by  the 
girl. 

"  Now,  good  Moloch,  go  and  do  for  old  Hecate  what  you 
have  done  for  me.  Make  her  a  fire,  that  she  may  have 
supper  ready  for  the  captain  when  he  comes,"  coaxed  Gen 
tiliska. 

"  Just  so,  Princess,"  agreed  the  robber,  who  immediately 
confiscated  another  shutter,  and  carried  it  off  into  the  adjoin 
ing  back  room  to  kindle  the  kitchen  fire. 

"  You  were  wrong  to  leave  us  !  You  got  into  trouble 
immediate!}' !  You  would  have  been  in  worse  by  this  time, 
if  we  had  not  rescued  you  !  Do  ii't  you  know,  when  the 
laws  are  down  on  you,  your  only  safety  is  with  the  out 
laws  ?  "  inquired  Gentiliska,  as  soon  as  she  found  herself 
alone  with  her  guest. 


NIGHT      ATTACK      ON      THE     COACH.       125 

"  I  do  n't  know.  I  do  n't  care.  It  is  all  one  to  me  now. 
I  only  wish  to  die.  If  it  were  not  a  sin,  I  would  die  by 
suicide,"  answered  Sybil  with  the  dreary  calmness  of 
despair. 

"  '  Die  by  suicide  ! '  Die  by  a  fiddlestick's  end  !  You  to 
talk  so !  And  you  not  twenty  years  old  yet !  Bosh  !  cut 
the  law  that  persecutes  you  and  come  with  us  merry  outlaws 
who  protect  you.  And  whatever  you  do,  do  n't  run  away 
from  us  again  !  You  got  us  into  awful  trouble  and  danger 
and  loss  when  you  ran  away  the  last  time ;  did  you  know 
it?" 

"  No,"  sighed  Sybil,  wearily. 

"  Well,  then,  you  did ;  and  I  '11  tell  you  how  it  all  hap 
pened  :  the  secret  of  your  abode  at  Pendleton  Park  was 
known  to  too  many  people.  It  could  n't  possibly  be  kept 
forever  by  all.  It  is  a  wonder  that  it  was  kept  so  long,  by 
any.  They  kept  it  only  until  they  thought  you  were  safe 
from  pursuit  and  arrest.  Then  some  of  Captain  Pendleton's 
people — it  is  not  known  whom — let  it  leak  out  until  it  got 
to  the  ears  of  the  authorities,  who  set  inquiries  on  foot ;  and 
then  the  whole  thing  was  discovered,  and  as  usual  misinter 
preted  and  misrepresented.  You  got  the  credit  of  volun 
tarily  consorting  with  us,  and  of  purposely  blowing  up  the 
old  Haunted  Chapel.  And  the  new  warrants  that  were 
issued  for  your  arrest  charged  you  with  that  crime  also." 

"  Good  Heaven ! "  exclaimed  Sybil,  forgetting  all  her 
indifference ;  "  what  will  they  not  heap  upon  my  head 
next  ?  I  will  not  rest  under  this  imputation !  I  will 
not." 

"  Neither  would  I,  if  I  were  you — that  is,  if  I  could  help 
it,"  said  the  girl,  sarcastically. 

But  Sybil  sat  with  her  thin  hands  clasped  tightly  together, 
her  deathly  white  face  rigid  as  marble,  and  her  large,  dila 
ted  eyes  staring  into  the  fire  heedless  of  the  strange  girl's 
irony. 


126  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"But  now  I  must  tell  you  how  all  this  hurt  us.  In  the 
first  place,  when  your  flight  from  the  cavern  was  discovered, 
we  felt  sorry  only  on  your  account,  because  you  ran  into 
imminent  danger  of  arrest.  We  had  no  idea  then  that  your 
arrest  would  lead  to  the  discovery  of  our  retreat ;  hut  it  did. 
When  our  detectives  brought  in  the  news  of  the  warrants 
that  were  out  against  you,  they  also  warned  us  that  the  au 
thorities  had  the  clue  to  our  caverns,  and  that  there  was  no 
time  to  he  lost  in  making  our  escape." 

With  her  hands  still  closely  clasped  together,  with  her 
pallid  features  still  set  as  in  death,  and  with  her  staring  eyes 
still  fixed  upon  the  fire,  Sybil  sat,  heedless  of  all  that  she 
heard. 

The  girl  continued  her  story. 

"We  let  no  time  be  lost.  We  gathered  up  the  most 
valuable  and  portable  of  our  effects,  and  that  same  night 
evacuated  our  cavern  and  dispersed  our  band ;  taking  care 
to  appoint  a  distant  place  of  rendezvous.  Satan  watched 
the  road,  riding  frequently  to  the  way-side  inns  to  try  to 
discover  the  coach  by  which  you  would  be  brought  back. 
He  was  at  Upton  this  evening,  when  the  stage  stopped  to 
change  horses.  He  recognized  you,  and  immediately 
mounted,  put  spurs  to  his  fast  horse  and  rode  as  for  life  and 
death  to  the  rendezvous  of  his  band,  and  got  them  into 
their  saddles  to  intercept  the  stage-coach.  He  also  gave 
orders  that  we  should  come  on  to  this  deserted  house,  which 
he  had  discovered  in  the  course  of  his  rides,  and  which  he 
supposes  will  be  a  safe  retreat  for  the  present.  That  is  all 
I  have  to  tell  you,  and  I  reckon  you  know  all  the  rest," 
concluded  Gentiliska. 

But  still  Sybil  sat  in  the  same  attitude  of  deep  despair, 
regardless  of  all  that  was  said  to  her. 

While  Gentiliska's  tongue  was  running,  her  hands  were 
•also  busy.  She  had  prepared  a  cordial  of  spiced  and  sweet 
ened  port  wine,  and  had  set  it  in  a  saucepan  over  the  fire  to 


NIGHT      ATTACK      ON      THE      COACH.      127 

heat.  And  now  she  poured  it  out  into  a  silver  mug  and 
handed  it  to  Sybil,  saying: 

"  Come,  drink  :  this  will  warm  and  strengthen  you.  You 
look  like  death,  but  you  must  not  die  yet.  You  must  drink, 
and  live." 

"  Yes,  I  must  live  !  "  said  Sybil.  "  I  must  live  to  throw 
off  this  horrible  imputation  from  the  fame  of  my  father's 
daughter." 

And  she  took  the  goblet  and  drank  the  cordial. 

And  soon  a  new  expression  passed  into  her  face ;  the 
fixed  despair  rose  into  a  settled  determination,  a  firm,  active 
resolution. 

"  You  look  as  if  you  were  going  to  do  something.  What 
is  it  ?  "  inquired  Gentiliska. 

"  I  am  going  to  give  myself  up !  I  am  guiltless,  and  I 
will  not  longer  act  the  part  of  a  guilty  person  ! "  said  Sybil, 
firmly. 

"  Your  misfortunes  have  turned  your  head.  You  are  as 
mad  as  a  March  hare  ! "  exclaimed  Gentiliska,  in  conster 
nation. 

"  No,  I  am  not  mad.  On  the  contrary,  it  seems  to  me 
that  I  have  been  mad,  or  I  never  could  have  borne  the  fugi 
tive  life  that  I  have  been  leading  for  the  last  two  months  I 
I  will  bear  it  no  longer.  I  will  give  myself  up  to  trial, 
come  what  will  of  it.  I  would  even  rather  die  a  guiltless 
death  than  lead  an  outlaw's  life !  I  will  give  myself  up !" 

"  After  all  the  pains  we  have  taken,  and  risks  we  have 
run,  to  rescue  you  ?  "  exclaimed  Gentiliska,  in  dismay. 

"  Yes,  after  all  that !  And  yet  I  thank  you  all  the  same. 
I  thank  you  all,  that  you  have  set  me  at  liberty,  and  by  so 
doing  have  given  me  the  opportunity  of  voluntarily  deliver 
ing  myself  up." 

"  Just  as  if  Captain  Inconnu  would  let  you  do  it.  I  tell 
you  he  has  his  own  reasons  for  saving  your  life,"  angrily 
retorted  the  girl. 


128  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

"  And  I  have  my  reasons  for  risking  my  life  upon 
the  bare  chance  of  rescuing  my  good  name,"  said  Sybil, 
firmly ;  "  apd  your  captain  would  scarcely  detain  me  here 
as  a  captive,  against  my  will,"  she  added,  smiling  strangely. 

"  Well,  may  be  he  would,  and  may  be  he  would  n't !  but 
here  he  comes,  and  you  can  ask  him,"  said  the  girl,  as  the 
galloping  of  a  horse's  feet  was  heard  in  the  front  yard. 

A  moment  passed,  and  then  the  robber  chief,  with  three 
or  four  of  his  men,  entered  the  room,  bringing  with  them 
the  mail  bags  and  other  booty  taken  from  the  stage-coach. 

"  Good-evening,  Mrs.  Berners  !  You  are  welcome  back 
among  your  devoted  slaves !  "  was  the  greeting  of  Captain 
Inconnu,  as  half  in  deference,  half  in  mockery,  he  raised 
his  cap  and  bowed  low  before  the  lady. 

For  an  instant  Sybil  was  dumb  before  the  speaker,  but 
she  soon  recovered  her  self-possession  and  said  : 

"  I  ought  to  thank  you  for  your  gallantry  in  rescuing  me 
from  the  custody  of  those  rude  men  ;  especially  as  the  free 
dom  you  have  given  me  affords  me  the  opportunity  of  vol 
untarily  doing  that  which  I  should  not  like  to  be  forced  into 
doing." 

Captain  Tnconnu  bowed  in  silence,  and  in  some  perplex 
ity,  and  then  he  said  ; 

"  I  am  not  sure  that  I  understand  you,  madam,  as  to 
what  you  would  do." 

"  I  would  go  freely  before  a  court  of  justice,  instead  of 
being  forced  thither,"  explained  Sybil. 

"  I  trust  3rou  would  never  commit  such  a  suicidal  act !  " 
exclaimed  the  captain,  in  consternation. 

"Yes,  I  would,  and  I  will.  I  care  nothing  for  my  life  I 
I  have  lost  all  that  makes  life  worth  the  living !  All  is 
gone  but  my  true  honor — for  its  mere  semblance  has  gone 
with  everything  else.  I  would  preserve  that  true  honor ! 
I  would  place  myself  on  trial,  and  trust  in  my  innocence, 
and  in  the  help  of  Providence,"  said  Sybil,  speaking  with  a 
stoical  firmness  wonderful  to  see  in  one  so  young. 


NIGHT      ATTACK      ON      THE      COACH.       129 

Captain  Inconnu,  who  had  listened  in  silence,  with  his 
eyes  fixed  upon  the  ground,  now  lifted  them  to  her  face  and 
replied : 

"Sleep  on  this  resolution  hefore  you  act,  Mrs.  Berners; 
and  to-morrow  we  will  talk  further  on  this  subject." 

"I  must  of  necessity  sleep  on  it  before  acting,"  said 
Sybil,  with  a  dreary  smile,  "  since  nothing  can  be  done  to 
night  ;  but  also  I  must  tell  you  that  nothing  can  change 
my  resolution." 

"  Thus  let  it  stand  over  until  to-morrow,"  replied  the  cap 
tain.  Then  with  a  total  change  of  tone  and  manner,  he 
turned  to  Gentiliska  and  said  : 

"  Now  let  us  have  supper,  my  little  princess,  and  after 
wards  we  will  open  the  mail  bags  and  see  what  they  have 
brought  us." 

Gentiliska  clapped  her  hands  together,  to  summon  the 
old  woman  of  the  band,  who  quickly  made  her  appearance 
at  the  door. 

"  Supper  immediately,  Hecate  !  "  said  the  girl. 

The  woman  nodded  and  withdrew.  And  in  a  few  mo 
ments  she  reappeared  and  summoned  them  in  to  the 
evening  meal. 

The  supper  was  served  in  the  rudest  possible  fashion. 
There  was  neither  table  nor  chairs.  A  fine  table-cloth  not 
too  clean  was  spread  upon  the  floor,  and  on  it  were  arranged 
a  few  plain  articles  of  food  such  as  could  be  quickly  pre 
pared. 

"  You  will  excuse  our  imperfect  housekeeping,  I  hope, 
Mrs.  Berners.  The  fact  is  we  have  just  moved  in,  and 
have  not  got  quite  comfortably  settled  yet,"  laughed  the 
captain  as  he  folded  his  own  cloak  as  a  seat  for  Sybil,  and 
led  her  up  and  placed  her  on  it,  and  sat  himself  down  by 
her  side. 

Other  members  of  the  band  joined  them  at  the  meal, 
and  Captain  Inconnu  and  Gentiliska  did  the  honors. 
8 


130  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

Fortunately  there  was  nothing  stronger  than  wine  set 
before  the  men,  and  not  much  of  that ;  and  upon  those  who 
had  been  accustomed  to  strong  brandy,  and  a  great  deal  of 
it,  this  lighter  beverage  had  but  little  effect.  So,  to  Sybil's 
great  relief,  she  perceived  that  they  continued  sober  to  the 
end  of  their  repast. 

"  Come  in  now,  and  let  us  take  a  look  at  the  contents  of 
the  mail  bags  !  That  may  afford  some  amusement  to  our 
lady  guest,"  said  Captain  Inconnu,  when  they  all  arose  from 
the  supper. 

They  passed  into  the  front  parlor,  where  the  robber  chief 
with  his  own  hands  opened  the  mail  bags,  and  turning  them 
up  side  down,  emptied  all  their  contents  in  a  heap  in  the 
middle  of  the  floor. 

The  robbers  came  and  sat  down  around  the  pile,  and 
began  to  seize  and  tear  open  the  letters. 

"  Hallo,  there,  my  men  !  "When  you  open  a  letter  with 
money  in  it,  hand  over  the  money  to  Gentiliska ;  she  will 
gather  and  keep  it  all  until  we  have  gone  entirely  through 
this  pile,  and  then  we  will  divide  it  equitably,  if  not 
equally,  among  you,"  commanded  the  captain  as  he  himself 
took  a  seat  in  the  circle  and  began  to  assist  in  "  distributing 
the  mail."  He  also  set  the  example  of  scrupulously  hand 
ing  over  the  money  he  found  in  the  letters  he  opened,  to 
the  keeping  of  Gentiliska,  who  collected  it  all  in  a  little 
pile  on  her  lap. 

Some  of  the  letters  he  read  aloud  to  the  company  for  their 
amusement,  such,  for  instance,  as  sentimental  letters  from 
city  swains  to  their  country  sweethearts,  begging  letters 
from  boys  at  college  to  their  parents  and  guardians  on  the 
plantations,  and  dunning  letters  from  metropolitan  mer 
chants  to  their  provincial  customers.  Of  these  last  men 
tioned,  the  captain  said : 

"  Look  sharp,  boys !  Here  are  the  New  Year's  bills 
coming  down!  They  won't  be  answered  by  return  mail 


NIGHT     ATTACK     ON     THE     COACH.      131 

this  time ;  but  they  will  be  sent  down  again.  After  which 
remittances  will  begin  to  go  up !  We  must  keep  a  bright 
look-out  for  the  up  coaches  about  New  Year's  time !  And 
we  shall  bag  some  neat  thousands ! " 

"  If  we  are  not  all  bagged  ourselves  before  that ! "  growled 
Moloch. 

"  Oh,  raven  !  hush  your  croaking !  If  we  should  listen 
to  it  long,  we  would  never  venture  upon  an  enterprise  of 
spirit!  Halloa,  what's  this?  Something  that  concerns 
you,  Mrs.  Berners ! "  exclaimed  the  captain,  breaking  off 
his  discourse  with  his  band  and  turning  to  Sybil,  who  was 
sitting  quietly  apart ;  and  he  held  in  his  hand  an  open 
letter,  from  which  he  had  taken  a  bright  ribbon. 

"  Something  that  concerns  me  !  n  echoed  poor  Sybil,  as  a 
wild,  irrational  hope  that  the  letter  might  contain  news  of 
her  husband  flashed  across  the  dark  despair  of  her  soul. 

"  Yes,"  answered  the  captain.  "  This  letter  is  from  Miss 
Beatrix  Pendleton  to  her  brother.  It  acknowledges  the 
safe  receipt  of  her  valuable  India  shawl,  and  sends  love  and 
thanks  to  you  for  recovering  it  from  us  and  dispatching  it 
to  her.  Moreover  she  sends  kind  remembrances  and  this 
gay  ribbon  to  some  old  nurse  of  the  name  of  Margy ! 
Here  is  the  letter !  Would  you  like  to  read  it  ? "  he 
laughingly  inquired,  as  he  offered  it  to  Sybil. 

"No!"  she  answered,  in  strongly  marked  disapproba 
tion  ;  "  that  letter  is  a  private  one !  not  intended  for  my 
perusal,  nor  for  yours  !  " 

"  No  ?  And  yet  you  see  I  read  it !  Here  Gentilly  I 
here  is  a 

" « Bit  of  bright  ribbon 
To  bind  up  your  bonny  black  hair! '  " 

laughed  the  captain,  tossing  the  gay  remnant  to  the  girl, 
who  caught  it  up  and  immediately  twisted  it  in  coquettishly 
among  her  ebon  locks. 

It  occupied   the   ban!  for   nearly  an  hour  to  open  and 

^. 
i 


132  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

examine  all  the  letters.  When  they  had  done  so,  and  had 
taken  everything  that  was  valuable  out  of  them,  they 
gathered  the  whole  refuse  mass  of  papers  together,  and 
ruthlessly  committed  them  to  the  flames. 

Then  they  divided  the  money  among  themselves,  the 
captain  and  his  men  having  each  an  equal,  instead  of  a 
graduated  share. 

"  And  now,"  said  Captain  Inconnu,  "  we  will  hid  each 
other  good-night,  and  try  to  get  some  rest.  Princess,  take 
our  guest  up-stairs  to  the  large  room  immediately  over  this. 
She,  you,  and  the  other  women  will  oocupy  that  room  to 
night.  Hecate  has  had  my  orders  to  that  effect,  and  I 
hope  you  will  find  that  she  has  made  the  place  as  comfort 
able  as  circumstances  will  permit. 

And  so  saying,  he  stuck  a  stump  of  a  tallow  candle  in  a 
scooped-out  turnip  and  handed  it  to  Gentiliska,  and 
motioned  her  to  conduct  their  guest  from  the  room. 

Sybil  very  willingly  left  the  company  of  the  robbers,  and 
followed  her  hostess  to  the  chamber  above. 

It  was  a  large  bare  room,  warmed  and  lighted  by  a  fine 
wood  fire,  and  furnished  only  with  a  few  pallets  made  of 
dried  leaves,  with  blankets  thrown  over  them. 

The  old  crone  called  Hecate  and  the  pale  girl  nicknamed 
Proserpine  stood  basking  before  the  blaze  of  the  fire. 

Sybil  felt  pleased  to  know  that  she  might  sleep  in  peace 
that  night,  protected  by  the  presence  of  other  women. 

"  This  is  the  new  lady's  bed,  this  best  one  in  the  corner 
here  by  the  fire,"  old  Hecate  explained,  pointing  to  a  pallet 
that,  in  addition  to  its  dried  leaves  and  warm  blankets,  was 
graced  with  clean  sheets  and  pillow-cases. 

Sybil  thanked  the  old  woman  for  her  favor;  and  being 
very  weary,  took  off  her  upper  garments  and  laid  down  to 
rest,  committed  herself  to  the  kind  care  of  Heaven,  and 
soon  sank  into  a  deep  sleep,  that  lasted  until  morning. 


RAPHAEL.  138 

CHAPTER  XI. 

RAPHAEL. 

I  might  call  him 

Something  divine,  for  nothing  natural 
I  ever  saw  so  noble. — SHAK.ESFEABK. 

WHEN  she  woke  up,  the  sun  was  streaming  in  at  the 
unshaded  windows,  and  by  its  blaze  of  light  she  saw  that 
two  of  the  women  had  left  the  room,  and  left  no  one  with 
her  except  Gentiliska. 

The  girl  was  up,  and  was  making  what  shift  she  could  to 
wash  her  face  with  the  aid  of  a  tin  basin,  a  stone  ewer,  and 
a  crash  towel,  all  of  which,  for  want  of  a  wash-stand,  were 
placed  upon  the  bare  floor. 

When  she  had  finished  washing,  she  carefully  emptied  the 
contents  of  the  basin  out  of  the  window,  and  refilled  it 
again  with  fresh  water  for  Sybil.  Then,  happening  to  turn 
around,  she  discovered  that  her  guest  was  awake. 

"  You  rested  well,"  she  said,  with  a  smile. 

"  Yes,  for  I  was  worn  out.  This  is  the  first  night  in  four 
that  I  have  laid  down,  and  the  second  night  in  eight,"  an 
swered  Sybil. 

"  My  gracious  goodness  !  How  could  you  stand  it  ? 
You  cannot  be  rested  yet.  You  had  better  lie  a  bed 
longer." 

"  No,  I  would  rather  get  up,"  said  Sybil,  rising. 

As  on  a  former  occasion,  the  girl  attended  the  lady  at  her 
rude  toilet,  rendering  the  assistance  of  a  dressing  maid. 

Just  before  they  left  the  room,  Gentiliska,  chancing  to 
look  out  of  the  window,  uttered  an  exclamation  of  surprise 
and  delight. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  inquired  Sybil. 

"  The  captain's  son  !  Oh  !  a  beautiful  boy,  Mrs.  Berners ! 
An  angel  among  devils  !  He  has  been  gone  so  long !  And 


134  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

now  he  has  unexpectedly  come  back  again.  Look,  Mrs. 
Berners  !  Oh  !  how  I  do  wish  somebody  would  deliver  this 
boy  from  this  band!  would  save  this  pure  young  soul 
alive  !  "  exclaimed  Gentiliska,  with  more  feeling  than  Sybil 
had  ever  seen  her  display. 

Following  the  glance  of  the  girl's  eye,  the  lady  looked 
from  the  window. 

Prepared  as  she  had  been  by  Gentiliska's  praise  to  be 
hold  a  boy  of  rare  beauty,  she  was  really  startled  by  the 
angelic  loveliness  of  the  lad  before  her. 

The  charm  was  not  alone  in  the  soft  bright  golden  hair 
that  shone  like  a  halo  around  the  fair,  open  forehead,  nor  in 
the  straight  brown  eye-brows,  nor  the  clear  blue  eyes,  nor 
the  sweet  serious  mouth,  nor  in  the  delicate  blooming  com 
plexion  ;  it  was  also  in  the  expression  of  earnest  candor  and 
trusting  love  that  beamed  from  every  feature  of  that  beau 
tiful  face. 

"Yes.  indeed;  he  looks  like  a  seraph.  What  is  his 
name  ?  "  inquired  Sybil,  in  a  burst  of  admiration. 

"  It  is  Raphael." 

"'Raphael!'  an  appropriate  name.  So  might  have 
looked  the  child-artist  Raphael,  in  his  brightest  days  on 
earth.  So  may  seem  the  love-angel  Raphael,  to  those  who 
see  him  in  their  dreams,"  said  Sybil,  gazing,  as  if  spell 
bound,  on  the  beauty  of  the  boy. 

"  There,  he  has  passed  in.  Now  let  us  go  down  to  break 
fast,  where  we  shall  meet  the  little  darling  again.  But 
look  here !  let  me  give  you  one  warning ;  take  no  notice  of 
that  child  in  his  father's  presence.  Captain  Inconnu  is  in 
tensely  jealous  of  his  beautiful  boy,  and  visits  that  black 
passion  upon  the  poor  lad's  head,"  said  Gentiliska,  as  they 
went  below. 

"  Jealous  of  a  boy  of  fourteen  ?  (and  the  lad  cannot  be 
more  ;)  what  a  wretch  !  "  cried  Sybil,  in  honest  indignation, 
as  she  followed  her  conductress  down  stairs. 


RAPHAEL.  135 

Breakfast  was  served  in  the  back  parlor,  in  the  same  rude 
style  as  the  supper  of  the  night  before  had  been. 

As  Sybil  and  Gentiliska  entered  the  room,  the  captain  left 
a  group  of  men  among  whom  he  had  been  standing,  came 
forward,  bade  the  lady  good-morning,  took  her  hand  and  led 
her  to  a  seat — not  at  the  table,  but  at  the  table-cloth,  which, 
lacking  a  board,  was  laid  as  on  the  evening  previous,  upon 
the  bare  floor.  The  captain  seated  himself  beside  his  guest, 
and  the  other  members  of  the  band  took  their  places  at  the 
meal. 

Sybil  noticed  that  young  Raphael  was  among  them. 
But  Captain  Inconnu  vouchsafed  neither  word  nor  glance  to 
his  son,  and  no  other  one  presumed  to  present  him  to  the 
lady  guest. 

Yet  at  that  breakfast  Sybil  made  a  most  innocent  con 
quest.  The  boy,  who  had  seen  very  few  young  girls  in  his 
life,  and  had  never  seen  so  beautiful  a  woman  as  Sybil,  at 
first  sight  fell  purely  in  love  with  her,  for  the  sake  of  whose 
sweet  face  he  felt  he  could  die  a  thousand  deaths,  without 
ever  even  dreaming  of  such  a  reward  as  to  be  permitted  to 
kiss  her  hand  ! 

What  woman  does  not  know  at  once  when  a  life  has  been 
silently  laid  at  her  feet  ?  Sybil  surely  knew  and  felt  that 
this  fair  boy's  heart  and  soul  were  hers  for  life  or  death. 
"  He  loved  her  with  that  love  which  was  his  doom." 

And  what  beautiful  woman  of  twenty  years  old,  is  not 
careless  and  cruel  in  her  dealings  with  her  boy  worshipper 
af  fourteen  ?  She  may  perceive,  but  she  never  appreciates 
the  pure  devotion. 

Sybil,  the  most  magnanimous  among  women,  was  per 
fectly  incapable  of  any  other  selfish  act,  under  any  other 
circumstances  ;  but  yet  she  coolly  resolved  to  improve  her 
power  over  this  fair  boy,  and  to  use  his  devotion  for  her  own 
purpose  of  escaping  from  the  band  and  delivering  herself 
up  to  the  authorities — never  once  thinking  of  the  pain  and 
peril  she  would  bring  upon  her  young  votary. 


130  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

But  she  was  very  cautious  in  her  conduct  towards  him. 
She  kept  in  mind  the  warning  that  had  been  given  her  by 
Geutiliska,  and  took  care  to  bestow  neither  word  nor  look 
upon  the  lad,  while  in  the  company  of  Captain  Inconnu. 

When  breakfast  was  over,  all  the  band  dispersed  about 
their  various  business,  with  the  exception  of  Raphael,  who, 
with  pencil  and  portfolio,  strolled  about  the  forsaken 
grounds,  or  sat  down  on  fragments  of  rock  to  sketch  pictur 
esque  points  in  the  scenery,  and  Captain  Inconnu,  who  in 
tercepted  Sybil  as  she  was  going  to  her  room  and  requested 
a  few  moments'  private  conversation  with  her. 

Sybil  thought  it  the  best  policy  to  grant  the  Captain's 
request.  So  she  permitted  him  to  lead  her  into  the  unfur 
nished  front  parlor,  where  for  the  want  of  a  chair  or  a  sofa, 
he  put  her  in  the  low  window  seat. 

"  I  had  the  honor  of  telling  you  yesterday,  madam,  that 
if  you  should  be  pleased  to  do  so,  we  would  talk  further, 
to-day,  upon  the  subject  of  your  return  to  the  world," 
began  the  rather  too  courteous  captain. 

Sybil  bowed  in  silence. 

"  I  am  here  now,  at  your  orders,  for  that  purpose." 

Again  Sybil  bent  her  head  in  acknowledgment  of  this 
politeness. 

"And  first  I  would  inquire,"  said  the  captain,  with  a 
singular  smile,  "  whether,  after  having  slept  upon  the  ques 
tion,  as  I  advised  you  to  do,  you  are  still  in  the  same 
mind  ?  " 

"  Not  exactly,"  replied  Sybil,  truthfully  but  evasively ; 
for  though  she  was  still  firmly  resolved  to  give  herself  up 
to  justice,  she  had  changed  her  plan  of  proceeding." 

"  Ah  ! "  commented  the  captain,  with  an  expression  that 
proved  how  much  he  had  mistaken  the  lady's  meaning — 
"  ah !  I  thought  a  night's  repose  and  a  morning's  cool 
reflection  would  bring  you  to  a  more  rational  consideration 
of  the  question. 


RAPHAEL.  137 

Sybil  answered  his  smile,  but  left  him  in  his  error,  and 
presently  said  to  him  : 

"  Captain,  I  have  a  question  to  ask  you." 
"  Proceed,  madam !     I  am  entirely  at  your  commands," 
said  the  captain  with  a  bow. 

"  Supposing  that  I  had  remained  in  the  same  mind  that 
I  was  in  yesterday,  and  that  I  still  persisted  in  my  purpose 
of  leaving  your  band,  and  giving  myself  up  to  take  my 
trial,  would  you  have  assisted  me,  or  would  you  have  hin 
dered  me  ?  " 

"  Mrs.  Berners,  your  purpose  was  a  suicidal  one  !  Your 
question  means  simply  this :  If  you  were  bent  upon  self- 
destruction,  would  I  help  you  or  hinder  you  in  your  deter 
mination  ?  Of  course  there  can  be  but  one  answer  to  such  a 
question.  I  should  employ  every  power  of  my  mind  and 
body  to  prevent  you  from  destroying  yourself." 

That  was  all  Sybil  wanted  to  know.  She  felt  now  that 
her  only  hope  was  in  the  boy.  x  • 

Smilingly  she  arose  and  excused  herself  to  the  captain> 
who  soon  after  left  the  room. 

But  not  until  she  knew  that  he  had  mounted  his  horse 
and  ridden  away  from  the  house,  did  Mrs.  Berners  begin  to 
put  her  plan  in  practice. 

She  was  playing  a  desperate  game,  and  she  knew  it. 
The  heaviest  stake  was  that  fair  boy's  fate. 

She  knew  that  the  robber  captain  would  never  permit  her 
to  take  what  he  chose  to  term  the  "  suicidal "  step  of  deliv 
ering  herself  up  to  justice.  She  therefore  knew  that  she 
must  act  without  his  knowledge,  as  well  as  without  his  help. 

But  she  did  not  know  her  present  locality,  or  even  its 
bearings  in  relation  to  the  county  seat,  Blackville ;  and 
therefore,  before  she  could  set  out  to  seek  that  place,  she 
must  enlist  the  sympathies  and  services  of  some  one  who 
would  be  able  to  guide  her  to  that  town. 

There  was  no  one  to  be  found  for  such  a  purpose  but 


138  TRIED     FOR     HER      LIFE. 

Raphael,  the  captain's  son,  and  her  own  adorer.  Regard- 
less  of  all  consequences  to  him,  since  it  was  to  save  her  own 
honor,  she  resolved  to  enlist  the  boy. 

And  to  effect  her  purpose,  she  felt  that  she  must  begin  at 
once.  So  she  walked  out  upon  the  neglected  and  briar- 
grown  grounds,  and  strolled  around  until,  "  accidently  on 
purpose,"  she  came  upon  the  boy  as  he  sat  sketching.  He 
started  up,  confused  and  blushing,  and  stood  with  downcast 
eyes,  before  the  goddess  of  his  secret  idolatry. 

"  Please  take  your  seat  again,  and  I  will  sit  beside  you," 
said  Sybil,  in  a  gentle  tone. 

Raphael  was  a  very  perfect  little  gentleman,  and  so  he 
bowed  and  remained  uncovered  and  standing,  until  Sybil 
took  her  seat.  Then,  with  another  bow,  he  placed  himself 
beside  her. 

"  You  have  been  sketching.  Will  you  permit  me  to  look 
at  your  sketches  ?  "  inquired  the  lady. 

With  a  deferential  bend  of  the  head,  the  boy  placed  his 
specimens  in  her  hand. 

They  were  really  very  fine,  and  Sybil  could  praise  them 
with  sincerity  as  well  as  with  excess. 

"  You  are  an  enthusiast  in  art,"  she  said. 

"  Until  to-day,"  replied  Raphael,  with  a  meaning  glance. 
"  Until  to-day,  my  one  sole  aspiration  in  life  was  to  become 
an  artist-painter ! " 

"And  why  until  to-day?  How  has  to-day  changed  your 
purpose  ?  "  softly  inquired  Sybil. 

The  boy  dropped  his  eyes,  blushed,  and  shivered,  and  at 
length  replied : 

"  Because  to-day  I  have  a  loftier  aspiration  !  " 

"  A  loftier  aspiration  than  for  excellence  in  art  there  can 
not  be,"  said  S}Tbil,  gravely. 

The  lad  could  not  and  did  not  contradict  her.  But  she 
understood  as  well  as  if  he  had  explained,  that  his  "  loftier 
aspiration  "  was  to  serve  and  to  please  herself. 


RAPHAEL.  139 

She  carefully  examined  his  sketches,  and  praised  his 
natural  genius.  And  he  listened  to  her  commendations  in 
breathless  delight. 

At  length  he  ventured  to  ask  her : 

"  Do  you,  madam,  who  so  much  appreciate  my  poor 
attempts,  do  you  also  sketch  from  nature  ?  " 

"  Ab,  no,"  answered  Sybil,  with  a  heavy  sigh ;  "  since 
my  captivity  here,  I  have  lost  all  interest  in  my  own  work  ! 
My  only  aspiration  is  for  freedom  !  " 

Raphael  looked  up  at  the  lady,  amazement  now  taking 
the  place  of  the  deep  deference  of  his  expression. 

"  You  seem  surprised,"  said  Sybil,  with  a  smile. 

"  I  am  very  much  astonished,"  replied  the  lad.  And  his 
eloquent  and  ever-changing  countenance  said,  as  plainly  as 
if  he  had  spoken,  "  I  knew  the  captain  was  an  evil  man, 
but  I  did  not  know  that  he  was  a  base  one." 

"  Were  you  not  aware  that  I  am  a  captive  of  this  band  ?  " 
next  inquired  Sybil. 

"  No,  madam ;  I  thought  that  you  had  been  rescued  by 
our  men  from  the  officers  of  the  law.  I  thought  that  yo\i 
were  in  refuge  with  us,  from  a  false  and  fatal  charge." 

"Your  thoughts  were  partly  correct.  I  was  rescued  from 
the  bailiffs  by  Captain  Inconnu's  band.  And  I  do  suffer 
tinder  a  false  charge.  But,  Raphael,  what  think  you  ?  Do 
you  not  think  that  a  false  charge  should  be  bravely  met, 
answered,  and  put  down  ?  Would  not  you,  if  you  were 
falsely  charged  with  any  criminal  act,  bravely  go  forward  to 
answer  it  in  your  innocence,  rather  than  run  away  from  it 
as  if  you  were  guilty  ?  " 

u  Oh,  indeed  I  would  !  "  answered  the  youth,  earnestly. 

"  I  knew  it.  Your  face  assures  me  that  you  would 
neither  commit  a  dishonorable  act,  nor  rest  one  moment 
under  a  dishonoring  charge." 

The  lad  thrilled  and  glowed  under  the  lovely  lady's 
praise,  and  felt  that  he  must  do  all  he  could  to  merit  it.  He 


140  TRIED      FOR      HER     LIFE. 

could  find  no  words  good  enough  to  reply  to  her,  but  he 
lifted  his  cap  and  bowed  deeply. 

"  You  understand  me,  Raphael !  But  I  will  confide  still 
further  in  you.  I  will  tell  you  that  when  that  terrible 
tragedy  was  enacted  at  Black  Hall,  and  I  was  so  deeply 
compromised  by  circumstances  in  the  crime,  I  wished  to 
stay  and  face  out  the  false  charge ;  but  I  yielded  to  the 
persuasions  of  those  who  loved  me  more  than  life,  and 
sometimes  I  think  more  than  honor !  And  I  fled  with  my 
husband.  Since  that  first  flight,  Raphael,  I  have  led  the 
hiding  and  hunted  life  of  an  outlaw  and  a  criminal ! 
Raphael,  my  cheeks  burn  when  I  think  of  it!  Raphael,  I 
am  a  Berners  !  I  can  live  this  life  no  longer !  Come  what 
will  of  it,  I  wish  to  give  myself  up  to  justice  !  Better  to 
die  a  martyr's  death  than  live  an  outlaw's  life ! " 

"  Oh,  madam—! " 

It  was  all  the  boy  could  bring  out  in  words.  But  he 
clasped  his  hands,  and  gazed  on  her  with  an  infinite  com 
passion,  deference,  and  devotion  in  his  clear,  candid,  earnest 
blue  eyes. 

Sybil  felt  that  she  had  gone  a  step  too  far  in  talking  of 
her  "  martyr's  dea'th  "  to  this  sensitive  young  soul.  So  she 
hastened  to  add : 

"  But  I  have  no  fear  of  such  a  fatal  consummation.  The 
charge  against  me  is  so  preposterous  that,  on  being  fairly 
met,  it  must  disappear.  And  now,  my  young  friend,  I 
must  tell  you  that  I  do  thank  Captain  Inconnu  and  his  men 
for  rescuing  me  from  the  bailiffs,  since  it  prevented  me  from 
suffering  the  ignominy  of  being  forced  to  go  to  trial,  and 
will  give  me  the  opportunity  of  going  by  my  own  free  will. 
But  I  do  not  thank  them  for  detaining  me  here  to  the  detri 
ment  of  my  honor,  when  I  wish  to  secure  that  honor  by 
frankly  giving  myself  up  to  justice.  I  am  sure  you  com 
prehend  me,  Raphael  ?  " 

"  I  do,  madam  ;  but  still  I  cannot  conceive  why  the  cap 
tain  should  oppose  your  wish  to  go  to  trial." 


RAPHAEL.  141 

"  It  is  enough  that  he  does  oppose  it,"  replied  Sybil,  who 
could  not  tell  this  lad  that  his  father,  being  the  real  criminal, 
was  unwilling  that  she  should  suffer  for  his  crime. 

"  You  are  certain,  madam,  that  he  would  do  so  ? "  in 
quired  the  boy  dubiously. 

"  I  am  quite  certain  ;  for  I  put  the  question  to  him  this 
morning." 

"  Lady,  what  would  you  like  to  do  first  ?  " 

"  To  escape  from  this  place,  go  to  Blackville,  give  myself 
up  to  the  judge,  and  demand  to  be  cleared  from  this  foul 
charge  by  a  public  trial." 

"  But  are  you  sure  that  such  a  trial  would  result  in  your 
complete  vindication,  and  restoration  to  your  home  and  hap 
piness  ?  " 

"  As  sure  as  innocence  can  be  of  acquittal  I " 

The  boy  suddenly  got  up  and  knelt  at  her  feet. 

"  Lady,  what  would  you  have  me  to  do  ?  Command  me, 
for  life  or  for  death." 

"  Thanks,  dear  young  friend,  you  are  a  true  knight." 

"But  what  would  you  have  me  to  do?  " 

"  Help  me  to  escape  from  this  place,  escort  me  to  Black 
ville,  and  attend  me  to  the  judge's  house." 

"I  will  do  so  !     When  shall  we  start?" 

"Let  me  see — how  far  is  Blackville  from  this  place?" 

"  About  five  miles." 

"  And  how  is  the  road  ?  " 

"  As  bad  as  a  road  can  be." 

"  Could  we  reach  the  village  on  foot 

"  Better  on  foot  than  in  a  carriage,  or  on  horseback ;  be 
cause  the  foot  way  is  shorter.  By  the  road  it  is  five  miles ; 
by  a  foot-path  that  I  know,  which  is  almost  a  bee-line,  it  is 
not  more  than  half  that  distance." 

"We  will  go  on  foot,  then,"  said  Sybil,  rising. 

"When?  "  inquired  the  lad,  following  her  example. 

"  Now.     We  will  set  out  at  once  !    No  one  notices  our 


142  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

position  now.  If  we  were  to  return  to  the  house,  we  might 
be  observed  and  watched." 

"  I  am  ready,"  said  the  boy,  closing  his  portfolio,  and 
hiding  it  under  a  flat  piece  of  rock,  where  he  thought  it 
would  be  equally  safe  from  trespassers  and  from  the  ele 
ments. 

"  Let  us  go,"  said  Sybil. 

"This  way  then,  madam,"  replied  the  lad,  leading  the 
way  to  the  woods. 

"  I  have  another  reason  for  haste,"  Sybil  explained  as  they 
went  on.  "I  know  that  the  court  is  now  in  session  at 
Blackville,  and  that  the  judge  has  rooms  at  the  hotel.  I 
know  also  that  the  court  takes  a  recess  at  one  o'clock.  It  is 
now  eleven  ;  if  we  make  moderate  haste,  we  can  reach  the 
village  in  time  to  find  the  judge  and  secure  an  immediate 
interview.  Do  you  not  think  so  ?  " 

"  Oh  yes,  madam,  certainly." 

"  Does  this  path  become  more  difficult  as  we  descend  ?  " 
inquired  Sybil,  as  they  threaded  their  way  along  an  obscure, 
disused  foot-path,  leading  down  the  narrow  thickly  wooded 
valley. 

"  Oh,  no,  madam,  not  more  difficult,  but  much  less  so.  It 
is  a  very,  very  gradual  descent  down  to  the  outlet  of  the 
valley.  By  the  way,  did  you  ever  observe,  Mrs.  Berners, 
how  much  all  these  long,  narrow,  tortuous  vales  between  the 
spurs  of  the  mountains,  and  leading  down  to  the  great  val 
ley,  resemble  the  beds  of  water-courses  emptying  into  some 
great  river  ?  "  inquired  the  boy  artist,  looking  with  interest 
into  the  face  of  his  companion. 

"  Oh  yes,  and  many  geologists  declare  them  to  have  been 
really  such,"  replied  Sybil. 

In  such  discourse  as  this,  they  beguiled  the  hour  and  a 
half  that  they  spent  in  walking  down  this  hidden  valley  to 
its  opening  near  the  ferry-house,  on  the  Black  river,  oppo 
site  to  Blackville. 


RAPHAEL.  143 

Here,  while  waiting  for  the  boat,  which  was  on  the  other 
side,  Sybil  drew  her  thick  black  veil  closely  over  her  face, 
and  whispered  to  her  companion  : 

"  I  would  not,  upon  any  account,  be  recognized  until  I  get 
before  the  judge.  So  I  will  keep  my  face  covered,  and  my 
lips  closed.  You  must  make  all  the  necessary  inquiries,  and 
do  all  the  talking." 

"  I  will  do  anything  on  earth  to  serve  you,  lady,"  replied 
the  lad,  lifting  his  hat. 

"  And  now  here  it  comes,"  whispered  Sybil,  as  the  ferry 
boat  touched  the  shore. 

He  handed  her  in,  and  placed  her  on  a  comfortable  seat. 

After  that  Sybil  never  removed  her  veil  or  opened  her 
lips.  But  the  boy  talked  a  little  with  the  ferry-man  until 
they  reached  the  opposite  shore. 

They  landed,  and  went  immediately  up  to  the  hotel. 

"  Is  Judge  Euthven  in  ?  "  inquired  the  lad. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  answered  the  waiter. 

"  Is  he  disengaged  ?  " 

"  I  will  see,  sir.  He  has  just  finished  luncheon,"  answered 
the  man. 

"  Tell  him  that  a  lady  wishes  to  speak  to  him  on  impor 
tant  business,"  said  the  boy. 

The  waiter  left  the  room,  and  after  an  absence  of  five 
minutes  returned  to  say  that  the  judge  would  see  the  lady, 
and  that  he,  the  waiter,  would  show  her  up. 

"  This  may  be  my  last  hour  of  freedom  in  this  world  ! " 
murmured  Sybil  to  herself,  as,  preceded  by  the  waiter  and 
attended  by  her  escort,  she  went  up  stairs. 

The  door  of  a  private  parlor  was  thrown  open,  and  Sybil 
JBerners  entered  and  stood  before  her  judge. 


144  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

A   WISE   AND    GOOD    OLD    MAN. 

A  just  judffe ;  by  the  craft  of  the  law, 
Ne'er  seduced  from  its  purpose. — SOUTHEY. 

THE  room  was  a  private  parlor,  furnished  something  like 
a  lawyer's  office. 

In  an  ample  cushioned  chair,  beside  a  large  desk  laden 
with  books  and  papers,  sat  a  venerable  old  gentleman  of  a 
portly  form,  fine  features,  fresh  complexion,  and  long  sil 
very  white  hair.  He  was  dressed  in  jet  black  cloth  and 
snow-white  linen.  His  whole  appearance  expressed  great 
power,  benevolence,  and  equanimity. 

This  was  Judge  Joseph  Ruthven,  the  learned  jurist  and 
eminent  philanthropist,  who'  had  succeeded  the  lately  de 
ceased  judge,  on  the  bench  of  the  criminal  court. 

He  arose,  with  a  suave  and  stately  courtesy,  to  receive 
his  lady  visitor. 

As  the  waiter  withdrew  and  closed  the  door,  Sybil  ap 
proached  the  judge,  and  lifted  her  veil. 

"Sybil,  my  child  !  Mrs.  Berners  !  "  he  said,  suppressing 
with  his  habitual  self-control,  the  exclamations  of  astonish 
ment  that  arose  to  his  lips. 

He  had  been  the  life-long  intimate  friend  of  her  father. 
He  had  known  her  from  her  birth,  and  in  her  childhood  he 
had  held  her  on  his  knee  a  hundred  times.  It  was  horrible 
to  see  her  there  before  him,  and  to  foresee  what  must  follow. 
Who  can  blame  him,  if  at  that  moment  he  wished  her 
thousands  of  miles  away  from  him,  with  the  ocean  rolling 
between  them  ? 

"  I  have  come,  your  honor,  to  give  myself  up  to  justice, 
trusting  that  justice  indeed  may  be  meeted  out  to  me,"  said 
Sybil,  as  she  sank  trembling  into  the  chair  that  he  placed 
for  her.  He  was  scarcely  less  agitated  than  herself. 


A    WISE     AND      GOOD      OLD     MAN.          145 

"  I  am  guiltless  of  the  crime  with  which  I  stand 
charged;  and  I  can  no  longer  bear  the  hiding  and  hunted 
life  of  a  criminal !  I  now  freely  offer  myself  for  trial,  come 
what  will  of  it !  It  is  better  to  die  a  guiltless  death  than 
to  live  an  outlawed  life  ! "  Sybil  repeated,  her  flesh  trem 
bling,  but  her  spirit  firm. 

Still  the  judge  did  not  speak,  but  gazed  on  her  with  infi 
nite  compassion. 

"  It  is  a  painful  office,  I  know,  Judge  Ruthven,"  said 
Sj'bil,  her  eyes  filling  and  her  lip  quivering,  "  a  painful 
office,  to  consign  your  old  friend's  child  to  a  prison,  and  a 
more  trying  duty  may  follow ;  but  there  is  no  help  for  it, 
you  know." 

"  My  poor  child  !  my  poor  child  !" 

These  words  almost  unconsciously  escaped  the  lips  of  the 
judge,  as  he  laid  his  hand  upon  her  head. 

"  You  are  sorry  for  me,"  said  Sybil. 

"  From  the  bottom  of  my  heart." 

"  And  you  believe  me  guiltless  ?  Oh,  if  you  can  say 
that,  you  will  give  me  so  much  strength  and  comfort,"  she 
pleaded. 

How  could  he  answer  her?  What  could  he  say  to  her? 
He  would  have  given  much  to  be  able  to  reply  that  he  fully 
believed  her  to  be  guiltless. 

But,  though  he  had  known  her  intimately,  from  her  in 
fancy  up,  and  saw  her  standing  there  looking  him  frankly 
and  honestly  in  the  face  and  declaring  her  innocence,  and 
challenging  a  trial,  and  pleading  for  his  trust  in  her,  he 
could  not  tell  whether  she  were  guilty  or  innocent. 

He  could  not  forget  the  fierce  passions  and  fearful  deeds 
of  her  race ;  nor  hide  from  his  judgment  the  probability 
that  this  girl,  inheriting  the  fiery  temper  of  her  fathers, 
and  driven  to  desperation  by  jealousy,  might,  in  a  moment 
of  frenzy,  have  slain  her  rival.  Thus  poor  Sybil  was  an 
9 


146  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

instance  of  that  natural  law  by  which  children  suffer  for  the 
sins  of  their  fathers. 

While  the  Judge  dropped  his  renerable  head  upon  his 
chest  in  sorrowful  thought,  Sybil  waited  for  his  answer ; 
and  the  longer  it  was  withheld,  the  more  impatient  she  be 
came  to  have  it. 

"  You  surely  do  not  believe  me  guilty,  then  ? "  she 
pleaded,  clasping  her  hands  and  trying  to  catch  and  meet 
his  eyes  as  he  raised  his  head. 

"  My  child,  whatever  I  may  or  may  not  believe,  I  must 
express  no  opinion  here,  or  to  you,"  he  answered,  eva 
sively. 

"  Oh  !  I  suppose  not ;  for  you  are  to  be  my  judge  and 
preside  at  my  trial,  and  so  it  would  never  do  for  you  to  give 
an  opinion,"  said  Sybil  with  a  sad  smile,  as,  woman-like, 
she  jumped  to  this  conclusion. 

The  judge  committed  himself  by  no  direct  reply  to  her 
words,  but  said : 

"  I  trust  in  Heaven,  my  child,  that  all  will  be  well ! " 

"  But,  Judge  Ruthven,  although  you  may  not  be  able  to 
express  an  opinion  as  to  my  innocence  or  guilt,  yet  I  ear 
nestly  wish  that  you  may  hold  one — that  you  may  believe 
me  innocent ;  and  so — please  look  into  my  eyes  !  " 

The  old  man,  who  had  been  rather  shunning  her  glance, 
now  raised  his  kead  and  met  the  honest  gaze  that  was  seek 
ing  his. 

"Judge  Ruthven,"  she  re-commenced,  "although  the 
men  and  women  of  my  line  have  been  cursed  with  fierce 
and  cruel  tempers,  and  have  some  of  them  done  ruthless 
and  fearful  deeds,  yet  not  one  of  them  was  ever  debased 
with  a  false  and  lying  tongue,  not  one  of  them  ever  stooped 
to  deny  his  or  her  deed  to  avert  the  worst  consequences 
that  might  befall.  And,  Judge  Ruthven,  if  in  my  rage  I 
had  slain  my  rival,  if  I  had  been  bad  enough  to  do  that 
deed,  I  should  have  been  brave  enough  to  avow  it !  I  have 


A    WISE     AND     GOOD     OLD     MAN.          147 

never  stained  my  hands  with  blood,  and  never  sullied  my 
lips  with  falsehood,  and  so,  when  I  tell  you  that  I  am  guilt 
less  of  the  death  of  Rosa  Blondelle,  Judge  Ruthven,  I  call 
upon  you  to  believe  me  ! " 

Her  eyes  were  fixed  on  his,  and  through  them  poured 
her  spirit's  strength  and  purity  and  truth,  inspiring  his  soul 
with  full  faith  in  her. 

He  arose  from  his  seat,  his  fine  old  face  tremulous,  yet 
beaming  with  emotion. 

"  Give  me  your  hands,  my  child !  I  do  believe  you — I 
believe  you  !  "  he  fervently  exclaimed,  taking  and  pressing 
her  hands. 

"  Thank  Heaven  !  Now  I  can  bear  the  rest !  "  earnestly 
answered  Sybil,  bending  her  head.  "  And  now,  Judge 
Ruthven !  do  your  duty  !  The  quicker  it  is  done  and  over, 
the  better  for  us  both  ! " 

"  Patience,  patience,  my  child  !  I  have  now  to  return  at 
once  into  the  court  to  preside  at  a  trial  now  in  progress. 
In  the  mean  while  do  you  remain  here.  The  necessary 
forms  shall  be  gone  through.  I  will  send  you  counsel. 
You  must  be  committed  for  trial ;  but  you  will  immediately 
apply  through  your  counsel  to  be  admitted  to  bail.  Remain 
here  until  you  hear  from  me.  All  will  be  right  for  the 
present,  and  Heaven  grant  that  all  may  be  well  in  the 
end ! " 

"  Admitted  to  bail !  Not  have  to  go  to  prison !  Oh,  thank 
you  !  thank  you  !  But  I  thought  cases  like  mine  were  not 
bailable." 

"  That  is  somewhat  at  the  discretion  of  the  court.  The 
fact  that  you  have  voluntarily  come  forward  to  give  yourself, 
up  to  trial,  pleads  loudly  in  your  favor." 

"  And  I  may  go  home  !  Go  home  perhaps  even  to-night ! 
Oh  !  home !  home  !  home  !  Oh  !  how  blessed  to  be  able  to 
go  home !  Oh,  thank  you  !  thank  you  !  thank  you  ! "  cried 
Sybil,  bursting  into  tears  of  joy. 


148  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  Compose  yourself,  my  child.  It  is  very  possible  that  you 
may  sleep  at  home  to-night,  and  many  nights.  But  there 
are  certain  legal  forms  that  must  be  observed.  I  will  see 
that  they  are  properly  attended  to,  and  with  as  little  distress 
to  you  as  may  be  consistent  with  their  due  observance. 
The  case  that  is  now  going  on  will  close  this  afternoon,  I 
think.  But  I  will  still  keep  the  court  open  to  as  late  an 
hour  as  possible,  to  wait  for  the  application  of  your  counsel 
for  bail.  Remain  here  in  peace  until  I  send  for  you,"  said 
the  judge  kindly,  pressing  the  hand  of  Sybil  as  he  with 
drew. 

As  soon  as  Judge  Ruthven  had  left  the  room,  Sybil 
turned  triumphantly  towards  her  young  escort,  who,  since 
his  entrance,  had  remained  modestly  standing  near  the  door, 
and  she  said : 

"  Dear  Raphael !  did  you  hear  that  ?  I  am  to  go  home 
and  rest  in  peace  until  my  trial  comes  on  !  Oh,  Raphael, 
what  joy  !  And,  dear  boy,  take  notice !  I  did  well  to  come 
here  and  give  myself  up !  and  this  blessed  prospect  of  going 
home  is  the  fruits  of  that  well-doing !  Mind,  Raphael, 
always  be  sure  to  do  well,  and  you  will  also  be  sure  to  fare 
well ! "  she  concluded,  mindful  to  give  her  young  companion 
a  lesson  in  morality. 

"  Oh,  madam  !  I  am  so  glad  of  this,  for  your  sake ! " 
said  the  boy,  earnestly. 

"  Thank  you,  Raphael !  And  I  do  not  forget  that  I  owe 
very  much  of  this  satisfaction  to  you.  But  for  your  help,  I 
could  not  have  escaped  from  the  band,  or  found  my  way 
through  the  mountain  passes  to  this  place.  But  now.  my 
boy,  you  have  been  long  away  from  your  companions.  Your 
absence  may  be  noticed,  and  may  bring  you  into  trouble. 
So  with  my  best  thanks,  dear  boy,  I  will  bid  you  good-bye, 
and  send  you  home,"  said  Sybil,  holding  out  her  hand. 

But  the  lad  did  not  take  it. 

"  '  Home  ? ' "  he  echoed  sadly,  "  '  home  ?  '  Ah,  lady,  what 


A     WISE     AND     GOOD     OLD     MAN.          149 

is  my  home  ?  A  robber's  den  !  No,  madam,  I  will  never 
go  back  to  the  band!  Here  in  the  village  I  may  get 
work  as  an  errand  boy,  or  on  some  farmer's  field  as  a 
laborer  ;  but  even  if  I  do  not,  though  I  should  perish,  I  will 
never  go  back  to  the  band  ! " 

"  Say  you  so,  my  bo}r  ?  Then  you  shall  even  go  home 
with  me,  and  be  my  little  brother ;  and  my  husband — Ah  ! 
my  dear  Lyon,  how  do  you  fare  now  ? — my  husband  shall 
be  your  guardian,  and  send  you  to  some  good  school  of  art 
where  your  fine  talent  may  be  cultivated,"  said  Sybil,  ear 
nestly,  again  offering  her  hand. 

He  took  it  and  raised  it  to  his  brow,  and  said  : 

"  You  should  be  a  queen,  lady  ! — a  queen,  to  do  your  royal 
will  towards  all  whom  you  wish  to  elevate.  How  can  I 
thank  you  ?  " 

"  By  accepting,  in  simplicity  of  heart,  all  that  I  and  all 
that  my  noble  husband  will  do  for  you.  For  Mr.  Berners 
will  also  be  very  quick  to  recognize  and  prompt  to  reward 
your  services  to  me." 

Poor  Sybil !  in  the  generous  exultation  of  her  soul,  she 
almost  lost  sight  of  the  sorrows  and  dangers  that  still  en 
compassed  and  threatened  her. 

She,  in  her  young  matronly  pride  and  dignity,  feeling 
ever  so  much  older  and  wiser  than  her  juvenile  worshipper, 
took  upon  herself  to  give  him  much  good  counsel  as  to  his 
conduct  through  life,  and  was  still  engaged  in  this  way 
when  two  gentlemen  opened  the  door  and  entered  the  room. 
They  were  both  old  acquaintances  of  Mrs.  Berners.  The 
first  was  a  Mr.  Fortescue,  an  elderly  man,  and  a  wealthy 
planter  of  the  neighborhood,  now  holding  the  office  of  high 
sheriff  of  the  county.  The  other  was  a  Mr.  Sheridan,  a 
brilliant  young  barrister,  often  associated  with  Mr.  Berners 
in  the  same  lawsuit.  Both  these  gentlemen  had  been 
frequent  guests  at  Black  Hall,  both  in  the  time  of  her 
father  and  of  her  husband. 


150  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

Mr.  Fortescue  took  off  his  cap,  and  bowed  to  his  some 
time  hostess,  as  he  said : 

"  Mrs.  Berners,  if  I  have  come  in  person  to  serve  this 
warrant,  you  will,  I  am  sure,  understand  that  I  have 
assumed  an  unpleasant  duty  purely  for  your  sake,  to  save 
you  unnecessary  pain." 

"  I  comprehend  and  thank  you,  sir,"  answered  Sybil. 

"  And  you  will  at  once  accompany  me  to  the  magistrate's 
office." 

"  Yes,  I  am  ready ;  let  us  go,"  said  Sybil,  rising. 

"  And  here  is  Mr.  Sheridan,  offering  himself  as  your 
counsel  until  you  can  procure  better,"  said  the  high  sheriff, 
presenting  the  young  lawyer. 

"  I  shall  not  be  likely  to  find  better,  I  am  sure.  I  shall 
be  very  glad  to  retain  Mr.  Sheridan,"  said  Sybil,  frankly 
offering  her  hand  to  the  young  man. 

"  It  is  not  a  pleasant  visit,  Mrs.  Berners,  this  one  to  Mr. 
Hawkin's  office ;  but  it  will  only  be  a  preliminary  exami 
nation,  and  I  will  do  what  I  can  to  make  it  a  brief  one," 
explained  Mr.  Sheridan,  as  he  offered  his  arm  to  his  client 
to  conduct  her  from  the  room. 

Sybil  drew  her  veil  over  her  face,  and  leaning  on  the  arm 
of  her  counsel,  was  about  to  follow  the  sheriff,  who  had 
gone  before,  when  she  happened  to  think  of  her  devoted 
young  worshipper,  who  was  standing  disconsolately  neat 
the  judge's  desk. 

"  Stay  here  until  I  return,  dear  Raphael,"  she  said,  with 
a  pleasant  smile,  and  then  passed  from  the  room. 

They  took  her  to  an  office  under  the  hotel,  where  the  sit 
ting  magistrate  was  ready  to  hear  the  case. 

A  few  witnesses  were  there  —  persons  who  had  been 
present  at  the  mask  ball,  and  had  observed  the  marked 
attentions  of  Lyon  Berners  to  Rosa  Blondelle,  and  the 
jealous  rage  of  Sybil,  and  who  had  afterwards  been  drawn 
to  the  scene  of  the  tragedy  by  the  cries  of  the  victim,  aud 


A    WISE     AND      GOOD      OLD     MAN. 

had  arrived  in  time  to  hear  the  fatal  charge  of  the  dying 
woman,  as  well  as  to  behold  her  death. 

When  Sj'bil  saw  these  people,  she  shivered  and  turned 
pale — not  with  fear  of  their  testimony,  for  she  had  nerved 
herself  to  meet  that,  but  with  the  sudden  recollection  of 
the  appalling  circumstances  under  which  she-  had  last  met 
them,  and  which  their  appearance  now  called  up  in  all  its 
first  horror. 

The  magistrate's  clerk  now  handed  Sybil  a  chair.  She 
then  raised  her  veil,  bowed  to  Squire  Hawkins,  and  took 
her  seat. 

The  proceedings  were  commenced. 

The  witnesses  for  the  prosecution  were  one  after  the 
other  duly  sworn  and  examined ;  and  they  deposed  to  the 
fatally  condemning  circumstances  attending  the  murder  of 
Rosa  Blondelle  as  they  are  already  known  to  the  reader. 

This  examination  occupied  about  an  hour.  At  its  close 
the  magistrate  turned  to  the  accused  lady,  and  inquired 
what  she  had  to  say  in  defence. 

Sybil  arose,  and  answered  by  giving  the  explanation 
that  she  had  already  made,  on  the  night  of  the  murder. 

The  magistrate  heard  her  through,  but  then  instructed 
her  that  her  unsupported  assertion  was  no  evidence,  and 
would  not  be  received  as  such,  and  called  upon  her  to  pro 
duce  her  witnesses. 

Sybil  was  about  to  answer  that  she  had  no  witnesses  to 
produce,  when  a  look  from  her  counsel  arrested  her  speech. 

He  respectfully  took  her  hand,  replaced  her  in  her  seat, 
and  then  standing  up,  he  said: 

"  My  client  has  given  a  true  explanation  of  the  facts  that 
have  led  so  many  persons  to  a  false  conclusion.  But  all 
further  defence,  we  reserve  for  a  higher  tribunal." 

And  having  said  this,  he  sat  down.  He  knew  that  no 
amount  of  defence  would  now  save  Sybil  from  being  com 
mitted  for  trial,  and  his  object  was  therefore  to  shorten  this 
ordeal. 


152  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

The  magistrate  then  directed  his  clerk  to  make  out  the 
mittimus.  When  the  instrument  was  ready,  he  signed  :k 
and  looked  around  for  some  officer  to  execute  it. 

"  I  will  take  charge  of  the  warrant  and  the  lady,"  said 
the  high  sheriff,  interposing. 

"  You,  Mr.  Fortescue  ! "  exclaimed  the  magistrate,  in 
surprise  at  the  condescension  of  the  high  sheriff. 

"  Yes,  I,"  coolly  answered  the  latter. 

"  But  Mr.  Magistrate,  we  are  prepared  to  offer  bail,"  put 
in  Sybil's  counsel. 

"Not  a  bailable  case,  Mr.  Sheridan,  as  you,  being  a 
lawyer,  should  be  very  well  aware.  No  case  in  which  the 
prisoner  is  arrested  upon  the  charge  of  a  capital  crime  can 
be  bailed." 

"  I  believe  you  speak  of  a  rule.  I  speak  of  an  exception. 
This  lady  was  not  arrested.  She  came  forward,  in  the  con 
sciousness  of  innocence,  and  gave  herself  up,  fairly  chal 
lenging  a  trial !  It  is  not  likely,  therefore,  that  she  would 
run  away,  if  released  upon  bail." 

"  Quibbles,  sir !  quibbles !  I  know  of  no  exceptions  to 
this  rule  !  Mr.  Sheriff,  remove  the  prisoner." 

Mr.  Fortescue  drew  Sybil's  arm  within  his  own,  and 
whispered  to  her : 

"  I  will  take  you  back  to  the  Judge's  room,  where  we 
will  remain  while  Sheridan  goes  before  the  Court  and  puts 
in  an  application  for  bail." 

Sybil  drew  her  vail  again  before  her  face  as  she  was  led 
from  the  magistrate's  office  back  to  the  Judge's  room,  where 
she  found  her  young  escort,  still  anxiously  awaiting  her. 

"  It  is  all  right,  Eaphael,"  she  said,  "  or  rather  it  will  be 
all  right  very  soon  !  Will  it  not,  Mr.  Fortescue  ?  " 

"  I  trust  and  believe  so,  madam." 

"  The  magistrate  insisted  that  my  case  was  not  a  bailable 
y-ne,  and  indeed  I  knew  that  much  myself;  but  the  Judge 
said  that  he  would  admit  me  to  bail,  and  he  can  do  so,  can 
be  not  ?  "  anxiously  inquired  Sybil. 


A    WISE      AND      GOOD      OLD     MAN.          153 

"The  magistrate  told  you  the  truth  ;  and  besides,  he  had 
no  power  to  act  in  the  matter  of  releasing  you  on  bail ;  but 
your  case  is  a  very  exceptional  one,  Mrs.  Berners,  and  the 
judge  has  very  great  discretionary  powers,  which  I  am  sure 
he  will  stretch  to  the  utmost  in  your  behalf." 

"  I  hope  without  risk  to  his  own  position." 

The  high  sheriff  smiled. 

"  Judge  Ruthven,"  he  said,  "  is  the  most  distinguished 
jurist,  as  well  as  the  most  honored  judge  and  the  most 
popular  man  that  ever  presided  in  our  courts.  His  pro 
ceedings  become  precedents.  He  can  venture  to  do  a  great 
deal.  He  can  afford  to  risk  much  !  w 

While  they  talked  thus  together,  Mr.  Sheridan  reentered 
the  room,  with  a  very  cheerful  expression  on  his  counte 
nance. 

"  All  will  be  well,"  he  said,  brightly.  "  Mr.  Sheriff,  I 
bear  you  the  Judge's  order  to  bring  your  charge  into  court. 
Mrs.  Berners,  you  will  meet  some  friends  there,  and  will, 
with  them,  enter  into  a  recognizance  for  your  appearance  at 
court  when  called  to  trial." 

Sybil  promptly  arose  and  gave  her  hand  to  Mr.  Fortescue, 
who  drew  it  within  his  arm  and  led  her  out  of  the  room, 
and  then  from  the  hotel  to  the  court-house. 

The  court-room  was,  comparatively  speaking,  empty. 
The  crowd  that  had  collected  to  hear  a  trial  for  forgery, 
which  was  just  ended  in  the  acquittal  of  the  prisoner,  had 
dispersed  at  its  close  ;  and  no  one  remained  but  the  presid 
ing  judge,  the  officers  of  the  court,  a  few  lawyers^  and  a 
group  of  gentlemen. 

As  Sybil  was  led  up  the  aisle,  between  the  rows  of 
benches  usually  occupied  by  spectators,  one  of  the  gentle 
men  turned  around,  and  to  her  joy  and  amazement,  re 
vealed  the  countenance  of  Lyon  Berners.  If  the  dead  had 
risen  before  her,  Sybil  could  scarcely  have  been  more  as 
tounded.  He,  from  whose  bleeding  and  insensible  body,  she 


154  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

had  been  torn  away,  scarcel}r  five  days  before,  now  stood 
before  her,  ill,  pale,  faint,  but  living.  His  head  was  bound 
up  with  a  white  linen  bandage  as,  leaning  on  the  arm  of 
Captain  Pendleton,  he  came  to  meet  her. 

"Oh,  my  dear  Sybil!" 

"  My  dearest  Lyon  ! " 

These  were  the  words  with  which  they  greeted  each 
other. 

"  Now,  my  friends,  leave  all  this  until  you  return  together 
to  Black  Hall.  Now  we  must  not  keep  the  court  waiting, 
but  proceed  to  business,"  said  Mr.  Sheridan,  taking  the 
hand  of  his  client,  and  drawing  it  again  through  his  arm,  as 
he  led  her  up  to  a  table  that  stood  before  the  bar  and  upon 
which  was  spread  out  a  formidable  looking  piece  of  parch 
ment  heavily  engrossed. 

"  Here  is  the  bond  by  which  you  enter,  with  your  hus 
band,  with  Captain  Pendleton  and  Miss  Beatrix  Pendleton, 
into  a  recognizance  for  your  appearance  at  court  when  called 
to  trial.  The  amount  of  bail  is  high,  fifty  thousand  dol 
lars  !  But  I  fancy  you  are  good  for  that,"  said  the  young 
lawyer. 

Sybil  smiled  gravely,  and  when  the  pen  was  put  into  her 
hand,  signed  her  name. 

Her  signature  was  followed  by  those  of  Lyon  Berners, 
Clement  Pendleton,  and  Beatrix  Pendleton. 

And  the  bond  being  duly  sealed  and  delivered,  Sybil  was 
informed  that  she  was  free  to  depart. 

Free  to  depart !  No  more  need  of  flying  and  hiding ! 
Free  to  go  home,  to  sit  down  in  peace  by  her  own  dear  fire 
side,  to  lie  down  and  repose  on  her  own  comfortable  bed  ! 
Free  to  depart !  Free  to  go  home  !  Oh,  joy  !  Sybil,  in  her 
delight,  forgot  that  the  darkest  thunder-cloud  of  fate  still 
lowered  in  the  sky,  threatening  to  break  in  destruction  on 
her  head ! 

Disregarding  all  forms,  she  was  about  to  go  up  to  the 


A      WISE     AND     GOOD      OLD      MAN.          155 

bench  to  pour  forth  her  thanksgivings  to  her  old  friend  Judge 
Ruthven,  when  her  husband  laid  his  hand  upon  her  shoulder 
and  stopped  her,  whispering  : 

"Remember,  dearest,  that  we  are  in  court,  and  govern 
yourself.  We  shall  see  the  Judge  at  the  hotel." 

So  Sybil  merely  courtesied  to  the  bench,  and  gave  her 
hand  to  her  husband,  who  pressed  it  warmly,  and  then 
passed  it  over  to  Mr.  Sheridan,  who  led  her  from  the  court 
room. 

Lyon  Berners,  supported  by  Captain  Pendleton,  and 
Beatrix  on  the  arm  of  old  Mr.  Fortescue  followed. 

And  thus  they  all  returned  to  the  judge's  room  in  the 
hotel. 

"  Lyon,  dearest !  there  is  my  little  friend  and  deliverer. 
Come  here,  Raphael,  and  get  acquainted  with  my  husband," 
said  Sybil,  as  her  eyes  fell  upon  her  young  escort. 

The  boy  came  at  her  call,  and  she  presented  him  to  Mr. 
Berners,  who  received  him  with  some  surprise,  but  much 
condescension. 

"  I  will  tell  you  all  about  Raphael  when  we  get  back  to 
Black  Hall.  In  the  mean  time,  you  must  take  him  upon 
trust,  for  he  is  to  go  home  with  us,"  said  Sybil. 

And  before  another  word  could  be  spoken,  the  door  was 
thrown  open,  and  Judge  Ruthven  entered. 

All  arose  and  stood  up,  as  the  venerable  old  man  went 
around  and  shook  hands  with  each  one. 

Sybil  held  his  hands  between  hers,  and  with  the  tears 
filling  her  eyes,  warmly  thanked  him  for  restoring  her  to 
her  home  ;  though  it  might  be  only  for  a  season,  she  said, 
it  would  give  her  strength  to  bear  all  that  might  come  after 
wards. 

"  Heaven  grant,  my  dear  Sybil,  that  your  full  and  perfect 
acquittal  and  vindication  may  come  afterwards,  as  I  entirely 
believe  they  will.  Your  trial  may  not  come  on  at  this  term 
of  the  court,  and  if  not,  there  will  be  a  considerable  interval 


166  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

of  time,  during  which  your  counsel  must  busy  himself  in 
hunting  up  evidence  in  your  favor,  and  if  possible  tracing 
this  mystery  to  its  solution.  Heaven  bless  you !  There, 
do  n't  weep,"  said  the  judge,  shaking  both  her  hands,  and 
then  relinquishing  them. 

And  they  all  sat  down  and  talked  hopefully  over  the  sub 
ject,  until  the  door  was  again  opened  and  the  waiter  ap 
peared  to  announce  that  the  carriage  ordered  for  Mr.  Ber- 
ners  was  waiting. 

"  Come,  dear  Sybil,  let  us  bid  good-by  to  our  friends,  and 
go,"  said  Lyou  Berners  to  his  wife. 

And  both  took  an  affectionate  and  respectful  leave  of  the 
judge,  and  were  about  to  do  the  same  by  the  Pendletons, 
when  the  Captain  said  : 

"  No  ;  Beatrix  and  myself  prefer  to  go  down  to  the  side 
walk,  and  take  leave  of  you  at  the  carriage  door." 

"And  the  only  reason  why  we  do  not  go  all  the  way 
home  with  you  is,  because  we  know  that  you  have  some 
mutual  explanations  to  make,  and  would  rather  be  alone  to 
day.  But  to-morrow  we  shall  go  to  see  you,  and  if  you  will 
let  me,  I  will  make  you  a  long  visit,"  added  Beatrix  Pen- 
dleton. 

"  Oh,  Beatrix,  dearest !  always  true  and  brave ! "  ex 
claimed  Sybil,  suddenly  kissing  the  young  lady,  while  Lyou 
warmly  grasped  the  hand  of  her  brother." 

Both  the  husband  and  wife  understood  and  appreciated 
the  motives  of  these  devoted  friends. 

They  went  down  stairs,  attended  by  the  Pendletons,  Mr. 
Sheridan,  and  Raphael. 

When  the  Berners  with  Raphael  were  in  the  carriage, 
Clement  and  Beatrix  Peudleton  took  leave,  reiterating  their 
intention  to  visit  Black  Hall  the  next  day. 

"  And  I  also  must  be  with  you  at  an  early  hour,  Mrs. 
Berners  ;  for  it  will  be  necessary  to  begin  at  once  to  prepare 
your  defence.  I  would  also  like  to  learn,  Mr.  Berners, 


HOME.  157 

whom  you  intend  to  associate  with  me  in  counsel,"  said 
young  Sheridan,  as  he  took  leave  of  the  lady  and  gentle 
man. 

"  We  will  settle  all  that  in  the  morning,  Sheridan,  and 
of  course  I  myself  must  be  with  you  in  the  defence,"  re 
plied  Lyon  Berners. 

And  they  shook  hands  for  the  last  time,  and  the  young 
lawyer  ordered  the  coachman  to  drive  on. 

"  The  old  ladies  at  the  Hall  will  be  prepared  to  receive 
you,  Berners.  I  took  care  to  dispatch  a  messenger  to  them 
two  hours  ago,  to  announce  your  coming,"  said  Captain 
Pendleton,  calling  after  them. 

Lyon  stretched  his  head  out  of  the  window,  and  nodded 
and  waved  his  hand,  as  the  carriage  passed  out  of  the  vil 
lage. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

HOME. 

There  blend  the  ties  that  strengthen 

Our  hearts  in  hours  of  grie£ 
The  silver  links  that  lengthen 
Joy's  visits  when  most  brief !— BBEKABD  BARTON. 

"  DEAR  Lyon,  how  came  you  here  so  soon  after  your 
dreadful  accident,  and  at  such  a  risk  to  your  life  ?  " 

"  My  dearest  Sybil,  what  led  you  to  give  yourself  up  ?  " 

These  questions  were  simultaneously  asked  of  each  other 
by  the  husband  and  wife,  as  soon  as  they  were  fairly  upon 
their  journey. 

Then  their  eyes  met,  and  despite  the  gravity  of  their 
position,  both  smiled. 

"  Whose  question  shall  be  answered  first  ? "  inquired 
Lyon. 

"  Oh  !  mine  !  mine ! "   exclaimed   Sybil ;  "  tell  me,  dear 


158  TRIED      FOB     HER     LIFE. 

Lyon,  how  it  is  that  you  are  able  to  be  here  at  all.  The 
bailiffs  indeed  told  me  that  you  were  not  dangerously  in 
jured  ;  if  it  had  not  been  for  that  assurance,  I  should  have 
died  with  anxiety ;  but  still  I  had  every  reason  to  suppose 
that  you  were  very  seriously  injured.  How  could  you  get 
up  so  soon  ?  How  could  you  bear  the  stage-coach  journey  ? 
Are  you  sure  that  it  has  not  endangered  your  life  ?  " 

"  My  dearest  Sybil,  no,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  answering 
her  last  question  first.  "  On  the  contrary,  it  has  saved  it ; 
for  if  I  had  remained  in  Baltimore  in  that  terrible  state  of 
anxiety  about  you,  I  should  certainly  have  fallen  into  a 
brain-fever.  My  injuries  were  not  nearly  so  severe  as  they 
seemed.  The  blow  stunned  me,  and  cut  my  scalp  in  a 
glancing  way.  It  bled  very  profusely,  so  that  the  great 
flow  of  blood  probably  saved  me  from  a  fit  of  illness,  at  the 
least." 

"  But  the  jarring  journey  by  the  coach  ?  " 
"  I  did  not  come  that  way.     I  came  by  water." 
"  Oh  !  I  forget  that  you  could  come  so.     Go  on." 
"  After  you  were  taken  from  me,  I  was  laid  upon  a  sofa, 
where  I  found  myself  when  I  recovered  consciousness.     The 
stage-coach  that  had  carried   you  off  had  been  gone  an 
hour,  and  no  other  was  to  start  until  the  next  morning. 
To  hope  to  overtake  you  was  vain.     But  to  meet  you  on 
your  arrival  at  Blackville  was  practicable,  by  taking  the 
steamer  that  was  to  start  at  noon.     So  I  ordered  a  carriage, 
threw  myself  into  it,  and  was  driven  to  the  pier,  where  I 
took  passage  in  the  Falcon,  bound  for  Kichmond." 

"  But,  oh,  Lyon  !  how  could  you  have  borne  even  so 
much  exertion  as  that,  so  soon  after  your  accident  ?  " 

"  Not  very  well,  to  tell  you  the  truth.  For  as  soon  as  I 
got  on  board,  I  had  to  turn  into  my  berth,  and  lay  there 
with  ice  on  my  head  and  mustard  at  my  heels,  until  the 
boat  arrived  at  Richmond.  But  I  was  then  well  enough  to 
leave  the  steamer  and  embark  on  board  a  schooner,  bound 


HOME.  159 

up  the  river.     At  the  mouth  of  the  Black  Hirer  I  got  into 
a  small  fishing  smack,  that  brought  me  to  Blackville." 

"  And  you  reached  the  village — " 

"  Only  this  morning.  I  expected  to  find  you  in  the 
hands  of  the  authorities,  when,  to  my  amazement,  I  heard 
that  you  had  been  rescued  from  the  bailiffs  by  that  band  of 
road  robbers.  I  had  scarcely  recovered  from  that  astound 
ing  intelligence  before  I  met  Sheridan  hurrying  from  the 
hotel  towards  the  court-house." 

"  To  get  my  bail ;  but  go  on." 

"  He  was  surprised  to  see  me,  of  course,  but  drew  my  arm 
in  his  own  and  begged  me  to  go  with  him.  On  our  way 
thither  he  told  me  of  the  almost  incredible  news  that  you 
had  given  yourself  up  to  justice  ;  that  there  had  been  a  pre 
liminary  examination,  and  that  you  were  detained  in  hon 
orable  custody  by  the  high  sheriff,  until  he,  as  your  counsel, 
should  apply  to  the  court  to  have  you  released  upon  recogni 
zance.  I  went  with  him  to  the  court-room,  where  I  found 
Pendleton  and  his  sister.  It  seems  that  Pendleton  had 
come  to  Blackville  to  meet  Beatrix,  who  was  returning  from 
her  visit  to  the  city ;  but  on  hearing  what  was  afoot  they 
had  gone  into  court  to  tender  their  services  in  case  they 
should  be  needed." 

"  Oh  !  "  burst  forth  Sybil  in  enthusiasm,  "  what  a  noble 
pair  is  that  brother  and  sister !  What  man  in  this  world  is 
worthy  to  marry  Beatrix,  or  what  woman  to  be  the  wife  of 
Clement?"  . 

"  Yet  I  hope  they  both  will  be  happily  wedded,  for  all 
that,"  observed  Lyon.  "  And  now,  dear  Sybil,  you  know 
the  rest.  You  know  that  Judge  Rutbven  '  took  the  respon 
sibility  '  of  releasing  you  upon  our  united  recognizance  for 
your  appearance  at  court !  And  now,  as  I  have  told  you  all 
I  have  to  tell,  I  would  like  to  hear  all  that  has  befallen  you 
since  we  parted,  and  above  all,  what  induced  you  to  give 
yourself  up." 


160  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  Stay  !  tell  me  ;  did  I  not  right  in  giving  myself  up  ?" 

"  Yes,  dear  Sybil.  Being  separated  from  me,  and  in  the 
hands  of  outlaws,  you  did  right  to  j'ield  to  law.  But  tell 
me  the  immediate  motive  of  your  action." 

Being  so  pressed,  Sybil  commenced  and  related  all  that 
happened  to  her  from  the  time  that  she  had  been  so  rudely 
torn  from  the  side  of  her  wounded  husband  to  the  moment 
that  she  met  him  again  in  the  court-room.  And  she  did  not 
fail  to  give  due  credit  to  young  Eaphael,  her  devoted  wor 
shipper  and  brave  deliverer. 

At  the  close  of  the  narrative,  Lyon  Berners  turned  to 
wards  the  boy,  saying : 

"  Give  me  your  hand,  young  friend  !  Henceforth  you  are 
our  son,  to  share  our  home  and  hearts,  and  to  be  cared  for  as 
long  as  we  all  shall  live !  " 

Eaphael  bowed  low  over  the  hand  that  was  extended  to 
him. 

And  no  more  words  were  then  spoken,  for  the  carriage 
was  just  turning  in  to  the  elm  avenue  leading  up  to  Black 
Hall. 

But  when  Sybil  came  in  sight  of  her  home,  she  suddenly 
turned  to  her  husband,  and  asked : 

"  Ob,  Lyon  !  what  has  become  of  my  little  Nelly  ?  You 
know  we  left  her  locked  up  in  our  chamber  that  morning  we 
started  out  for  a  walk,  and  was  stopped  by  the  sheriff's 
officers  in  the  hall  of  the  hotel.  What  has  become  of  her  ; 
do  you  know  ?  " 

"  She  is  safe.  I  brought  her  from  Baltimore  to  Black- 
ville  with  me.  But  then — I  am  very  sorry  ;  but  in  the  rush 
of  other  events  I  forgot  her,  and  left  her  in  the  hotel.  How 
ever,  she  will  be  well  taken  care  of,  for  the  people  know 
her." 

"  I  am  so  glad  to  hear  she  is  safe.  We  will  send,  for  her 
to-morrow,"  smiled  Sybil. 

The  carriage  rolled  on  to  the  house,  and  drew  up  before 
its  doors. 


HOME.  161 

looked  out  from  the  windcsv,  and  saw  Miss  Tabitha 
Winterose  at  the  head  of  all  the  house  servants,  standing 
on  the  porch  to  welcome  her.  Among  them  was  her  little 
Skye  terrier,  held  in  check  by  Joseph.  But  as  soon  as 
Nelly  saw  her  mistress'  face  she  broke  loose,  and  with  almost 
human  cries  of  frantic  delight  and  impatience,  scampered 
forward,  and  climbed  into  Sybil's  down-stretched  arms. 

"  The  first  to  welcome  me  home,  you  faithful  little  friend  ! 
But  how  did  you  come  here,  Nelly  ?  "  asked  Sybil,  taking 
the  little  creature  on  her  lap,  holding  its  head  between  her 
open  hands,  and  looking  down  into  its  loving  brown  eyes. 

But  for  all  answer  Nelly  suddenly  darted  up  and  kissed 
her  mistress  on  the  chin. 

"  Welcome  home,  Miss  Sybil !  Oh,  Lord  be  thanked  as  I 
have  lived  to  see  this  blessed  day !  "  blubbered  Joe,  coming 
forward,  and  laughing  and  sobbing  with  delight  under  the 
full  conviction  that  all  his  mistress'  sorrows  were  now  over. 

"  Welcome  back,  Mrs.  Berners,  my  dear  child  !  a  thousand 
welcomes  back  !  "  whimpered  Miss  Tabby,  pressing  forward 
to  meet  her. 

"And  me  too,  Miss  Sybil,"  added  Dilly,  rather  irrele 
vantly. 

"  Now,  Lord,  let  thy  servant  depart,  for  I  have  seen  the 
desire  of  my  eyes,"  said  old  Abraham,  reverently  lifting  his 
hat  from  his  white  head,  and  slightly  misquoting  the  Scrip 
tures. 

Sybil  had  by  this  time  alighted,  and  was  shaking  hands 
right  and  left  with  her  attached  servants. 

But  now  a  touching  sight  met  her  view — a  little  delicate 
baby  boy,  with  fair  curling  hair,  clear  blue  eyes,  and  a  pink 
and  white  complexion,  hiding  behind  Miss  Tabby,  clinging 
to  her  skirts,  and  peeping  out  with  a  look  half  shy  and  half 
confiding. 

"  Oh,  you  poor  child !  "  said  Sybil,  tenderly  raising  him 
in  her  arms  and  pressing  him  to  her  bosom,  while  her  tears 
10 


162  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

fell  fast  upon  his  head.  You  poor,  poor  child !  If  I  had 
done  what  they  said,  could  I  ever  have  looked  in  your  sweet 
eyes  again  ?  " 

"  Do  n't  cry,  poor  lady,  do  n't  cry,"  said  the  child,  lifting 
up  his  little  apron  and  trying  to  wipe  her  eyes. 

"  Ah,  you  poor  baby !  But  you  shall  never  want  a  mother 
while  I  live,"  continued  Sybil,  still  weeping  for  pity. 

"  Do  n't  cry,  Cro'  will  be  a  good,  good  boy,"  coaxed  the 
child;  softly  stroking  her  face  with  his  little  hand. 

"  Cro'  will  give  you  his  mudic  box,  and  all  his  p'ay 
things.  Do  n't  cry,"  begged  the  child,  and  as  a  last  resort, 
he  put  his  arms  around  her  neck,  and  added,  "  Cro'  will  love 
you." 

"  Come,  my  dear  Sybil !  come  into  the  house,"  said  Mr. 
Berners,  who,  having  paid  and  discharged  the  hired  carriage, 
now  turned  to  offer  his  arm  to  his  wife. 

But  Sybil  covered  the  child  in  her  arms  with  kisses,  and 
pressed  him  warmly  to  her  bosom,  before  she  relinquished 
him  to  the  care  of  Miss  Tabby. 

Then  she  turned  to  her  husband,  who  still  held  out  his 
arm  to  her. 

"Poor  Lyon!"  she  said.  "You  are  scarcely  able  to 
stand,  yet  you  wish  to  escort  me  in.  Joseph  !  " — she  called 
to  their  faithful  servant — "  come  here.  Do  n't  you  see  your 
master's  state  ?  " 

Joe  came  and  looked  upon  his  "  sovereign  lord,"  and  his 
eyes  and  mouth  gradually  opened  in  a  growing  consterna 
tion,  as  he  gazed  upon  the  bandaged  head. 

"  Lor  save  us,  marse  Lyon ;  has  you  been  blowed  up  agin, 
or  has  you  got  you'sef  inter  a — "  Joe  paused  in  respect. 

"  Row,  would  you  say,  Joe  ?  Something  like  it,  I  must 
confess ;  and  a  very  disreputable  appearance  I  present,  no 
doubt '  But  there,  Joe,  I  will  take  your  arm  into  the  house, 
for  I  do  feel  rather  light-headed  still,"  said  Lyon,  with  a 
smile,  as  leaning  on  his  servant,  he  went  up  the  porch 


HOME.  163 

stairs.  Sybil  followed,  attended  by  Raphael,  Miss  Tibby 
and  little  Cromartie,  Delia,  and  all  the  servants. 

"  Come  up  into  your  own  room,  my  darling  Miss  Sybil, 
Mrs.  Berners  I  mean,  which  it  is  all  well  aired,  and  nice  and 
warm  and  ready  for  you,"  said  Miss  Tabby,  leading  the  way 
up-stairs,  followed  by  Sybil  and  her  maid  Delia. 

"  Oh,  how  good  it  is  to  be  home  once  more  !  Oh,  how 
delightful  to  enter  one's  own  bed-room  again,"  sighed  Sybil, 
with  the  sense  of  a  great  relief,  as  she  sank  into  her  own 
luxurious  easy-chair,  beside  the  bright  wood  fire. 

"  Let  me  take  off  your  bonnet,  my  pet,"  said  the  affec 
tionate  old  maid,  untying  with  trembling  fingers  the  hat  of 
Sybil. 

"  Miss  Tabby,  how  came  little  Nelly  here  ? "  inquired 
Mrs.  Berners,  as  the  little  dog,  who  had  followed  her  up 
stairs,  jumped  into  her  lap. 

"  Why,  lors,  Miss  Sybil,  the  groom  from  the  livery-stable 
who  brought  the  news  of  your  coming,  fotch  the  dog  too.  I 
b'lieve  he  said  as  Capting  Pendleton  found  him  running 
round  loose,  and  sent  him  home." 

"  Oh,  Miss  Tabby,  sometime  when  you  and  I  are  sitting 
by  our  winter  evening  fire,  I  can  tell  you  such  stories  of 
what  I  have  gone  through,  and  the  best  story  of  all  is  that 
of  little  Nelly,"  said  Sybil  caressing  her  tiny  four-footed 
favorite. 

"  Surely  ! "  exclaimed  Miss  Tabby,  who,  having  relieved 
Sybil  of  her  bonnet  and  shawl,  now  sat  down  for  a  quiet 
little  talk,  while  waiting  for  dinner  to  be  announced.  She 
had  little  Cro'  on  her  lap. 

"  Miss  Tabby,"  inquired  Sybil,  suddenly,  "  where  is  that 
child's  nurse  ?  I  notice  that  you  seem  to  have  him  all  the 
time." 

"  Where  is  his  nurse,  is  it  Miss  Sybil  ?  Ah,  the  brazen, 
piece  !  She 's  gone  and  got  married  to  Saundy  McGruder 
the  livery-stable  keeper — master  of  him  who  brought  the 


164  TRIED     FOE     HER     LIFE., 

news  of  your  'rival  1  Ugh !  "  exclaimed  Miss  Tabby  in 
strong  disgust.  She  had  never  taken  upon  herself  to  get 
married,  and  she  set  her  face  steadily  against  all  sucb  im 
proprieties  in  the  young  servants  that  were  under  her 
control. 

"  And  so  she  deserted  her  charge  ?  Poor  baby !  Hard 
to  lose  his  mother  and  his  nurse  at  the  same  time,"  said 
Sybil,  compassionately.  Suddenly  she  changed  the  subject, 
and  inquired  : 

"  Miss  Tabby  1  did  you  ever  believe  I  did  that  ?  " 

"  Did  which,  honey  ?  " 

"  What  they  accused  me  of  ?  " 

"  Now  I  wish  you  had  n't  axed  me  that  there  question, 
Miss  Sybil !  I  do  so !  for  it  looks  just  as  if  you  had  a 
doubt  on  me,  as  never  doubted  you,  exclaimed  the  faithful 
creature,  with  an  injured  look. 

"  Heaven  bless  you,  good  soul !  Then  you  do  n't  believe 
it ! "  cried  Sybil,  in  delight. 

"Now  look  here,  honey  !  I've  nursed  you  ever  since  you 
was  a  month  old,  and  how  could  I  believe  you  would  do  a 
thing  like  that !  Though  the  good  Lord  knows  as  you  had 
aggravation  enough  to  drive  you  out'n  your  seventeen 
senses,  and  into  anything !  But  you  never  did  that !  I'd 
stake  my  soul  on  to  it.  Why,  see  here  !  When  that  igno 
rant  nigger,  Dilly,  as  was  a  crying  and  a  howling  after  you, 
fit  to  break  her  heart,  when  she  axes  me,  '  Oh,  Miss  Tabby, 
do  you  thiuk  as  my  mistress  did  that  ? '  I  fetches  her  sich 
a  box  of  the  years,  as  I  should  n't  wonder  if  they  ring  yet, 
though  that  was  a  matter  of  nigh  two  months  ago  ! " 

"  Thanks,  dear  old  friend,  for  your  faith  in  me.  And 
now,  dear  Miss  Tabby,  did  you  notice  that  fair  boy  whom 
we  brought  home  with  us  '/  " 

"  I  never  see  such  a  heavenly  looking  boy  in  all  my  days. 
To  be  sure  I  noticed  of  him.  Wherever  did  you  pick  him 
up,  Miss  Sybil  ?  " 


HOME.  165 

"  On  my  travels,  old  Tabby.  I  will  tell  you  all  I  know 
about  him,  when  you  and  I  sit  down  together  to  gossip  by 
that  winter  evening  fire  we  spoke  of." 

"  And,  oh,  how  much  you  '11  have  to  tell  me,  my  child. 
I  looks  to  have  my  hair  bristle  up  on  ind  ! " 

"  Then  wear  a  strong  cap,  and  tie  the  strings  under  your 
chin  tightly,  that  it  may  not  be  lifted  from  your  head," 
laughed  Sybil.  "  But  about  the  boy ;  he  is  to  make  his 
home  with  us  ;  and  so  I  want  you  to  have  one  of  the  best 
bedrooms  prepared,  and  a  plate  always  put  on  the  table  for 
him;  and  to  instruct  the  servants  that  they  are  to  treat 
him  in  all  respects  as  a  son  of  the  house,"  answered  Sybil. 

"  Lor'  bless  me  !  Is  that  so  !  exclaimed  the  old  maid,  as 
her  eyes  opened  in  amazement.  "  Well,  Miss  Sybil,  I  have 
heard  of  ladies  afore  now,  being  so  angelable  as  to  pervide 
for  their  husband's  unnateral  relations ;  but  that  you  should 
do  sich  a  thing  I  never  would  a  believed.  You  're  a  wery 
good  child  !  but  your  goodness  do  n't  lay  into  that  toleratin' 
line,  that  I  know." 

"  What  on  earth  do  you  mean,  Tabby  ? "  sharply  de 
manded  Sybil.  "I'm  shocked  and  disgusted  at  you,  that 
I  am." 

"  Why,  what  for  ?  You  said  the  boy  was  to  be  respected 
as  a  son  of  the  house  ;  and  then  ag'in,  they  've  both  got 
light  hair  and  blue  eyes,  and  fair  skins,"  said  Miss  Win- 
terose,  in  dismay. 

"  Tabby,  as  far  as  I  understand  you,  I  am  quite  ashamed 
of  you.  That  boy  is  the  son  of  a  man  who  calls  himself 
Captain  Inconnu,  but  whom  I  believe  to  own  another  name ; 
but  no  matter  about  that  now ;  that  will  figure  in  some  of 
the  stories  that  I  shall  tell  you  by  our  evening  fires- 
Well,  what  do  you  want  ?  " 

This  last  question  was  addressed  to  a  colored  boy,  who 
opened  the  chamber  door  and  looked  in. 

"  Please,  ma'am,  I  wanted  to  tell  Miss  Tabby  as  dinner 
was  on  the  table,"  said  the  child. 


166  TRIED     POR     HER     LIFE. 

"  And  did  n't  you  know  better,  you  little  brute,  than  to 
open  a  lady's  door  without  knocking?  Go  down  to  the 
kitchen  with  yourself,  this  very  instant ! "  exclaimed  Miss 
Tabby,  indignantly. 

"  Do  n't  scold  the  child  this  first  day  of  my  return," 
pleaded  Sybil. 

"  And,  lor5,  now  here  I  have  been  a  keeping  on  you,  child, 
a-satisfyin'  of  my  old  woman's  curiosity,  and  not  even  a 
leaving  of  you  time  enough  to  dress  for  dinner,"  said  the 
old  maid,  regretfully. 

"  Dress  for  dinner !  "  echoed  Sybil,  lifting  her  eyebrows. 
"  I  had  almost  forgotten  such  a  piece  of  propriety  !  I  have 
not  dressed  for  dinner  for  nearly  two  months  ! " 

But  for  all  that,  she  got  up,  and  went  to  her  toilet  glass 
and  smoothed  her  hair,  and  washed  her  hands,  and  put  on 
a  clean  collar. 

"That  will  do  for  to-day.  Now  don't  look  hurt,  you 
good  old  Tabby,  and  I  '11  promise  to-morrow  to  '  dress  up  to 
the  nines  ! '  "  said  Sybil,  laughing,  as  she  tripped  out  of  the 
room.  She  was  in  such  good  spirits  at  being  home  again, 
she  had  for  the  moment  forgotten  that  she  was  only  there 
on  sufferance. 

"  And  I  had  such  a  splendid  dinner  got  for  her,  too ! 
With  all  the  silver-gilt  and  cut-glass  out,  and  some  of  the 
old  wine  them  devils  happened  to  leave  when  they  robbed 
the  cellar.  I  have  n't  told  her  about  that  robbery  yet !  I 
do  n't  want  to  tell  her  no  bad  news  the  first  day  as  she  gets 
home,"  ruminated  Miss  Tabby,  as  she  sat  over  the  fire  with 
little  Cromartie  in  her  arms. 

Of  course  Miss  Winterose  could  not  guess  that  Sybil  had 
heard  of  the  raid  upon  her  cellars. 

Sybil  ran  down  stairs,  at  the  foot  of  which  she  found  Mr. 
Berners  and  Raphael  waiting  for  her. 

"  I  have  been  taking  a  nap  on  the  parlor  sofa,  and  my 
young  friend  here  has  been  mousing  among  the  books  in 
the  library,"  said  Lyon  Berners,  as  he  met  his  wife. 


HOME.  167 

"I  hope  you  feel  refreshed,"  said  Sybil. 

"  Very  much,"  answered  Lyon.  "  Raphael,  my  boy,  give 
Mrs.  Berners  your  arm  in  to  the  dinner-table." 

The  lad  blushingly  obeyed,  and  they  went  in  to  dinner. 

There  was  one  little  affectionate  mischievous  thought 
darted  through  Mr.  Berners'  brain ;  "  I  will  show  my  wife 
that  I  can  trust  her  with  this  pretty  page  who  is  in  love 
with  her,  better  than  she  could  trust  me  with  the  beautiful 
widow  who  was  not  in  love  with  me,"  he  said  smilingly  to 
himself,  as  he  followed  them  in  to  the  dining-room. 

This  may  be  said  to  be  the  re-commencement  of  Sybil 
Berners'  happy  home-life.  Of  the  awful  cloud  that  overhung 
her  fate,  she  scarcely  thought  at  all  this  evening.  When 
dinner  was  over  she  led  the  way  into  her  own  bright  draw 
ing-room,  which  had  been  that  day  "  swept  and  garnished  " 
for  her  reception.  Fresh  snow-white  lace  curtains  were  at 
the  windows,  contrasting  finely  with  the  warm,  bright  hues 
of  the  crimson  satin  hangings,  the  crimson  velvet  parlor  set, 
and  the  crimson  Brussels  carpet.  A  brilliant  sea-coal  fire 
was  glowing  in  the  grate,  and  vases  filled  with  fragrant  hot 
house  plants  stood  on  every  white  marble-top  table  and 
stand. 

Like  a  child  home  for  the  holidays,  Sybil  roamed  about 
in  delight  from  object  to  object,  and  fondly  opened  her  dis 
used  piano,  to  try  if  it  was  still  in  tune.  She  was  surprised 
and  pleased  to  find  that  its  tone  was  perfect.  She  had  been 
absent  but  two  months  or  less,  and  she  knew  it,  yet  she  felt 
as  if  two  years  must  have  elapsed  since  she  had  touched  her 
piano.  She  sat  down  and  played  some  of  her  favorite  airs, 
and  sang  some  of  her  favorite  songs,  to  the  great  entertain 
ment  of  Mr.  Berners  and  Kaphael. 

But  this  evening  she  was  too  happy  and  too  restless  to 
keep  to  any  one  thing.  So  she  soon  left  the  piano,  and 
called  Raphael  to  follow  her  to  a  book-stand  in  the  corner, 
where  she  showed  him  some  fine  engravings  from  the  old 


168  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

masters — a  volume  containing  master-pieces  from  Guido, 
Correggio,  Leonardo,  Murillo,  and  others.  With  all  this 
wealth  of  art  the  poor  child-artist  was  delighted. 

"  But  here  is  something  better  still,  my  boy !  Here  is  a 
volume  of  the  rarest  gems,"  she  said,  opening  a  book  of 
Baphael's  Madonnas  and  laying  it  before  him. 

He  uttered  a  cry  of  delight,  and  then  checked  himself, 
blushed,  and  apologized. 

Meanwhile  Lyon  Berners  reclined  upon  the  sofa.  He 
was  still  weak  from  his  accident,  and  from  the  imprudent 
journey  that  had  followed  it.  He  lay  there,  watching 
Sybil,  content  that  she  should  be  amused,  until  the  wife 
herself  suddenly  lifted  up  the  volume  she  had  been  exam 
ining  with  the  boy,  and  calling  Raphael  to  follow  her,  went 
over  to  her  husband,  and  kneeling  by  his  side,  with  the 
book  resting  on  the  edge  of  the  sofa,  she  turned  a  page, 
and  said : 

"  Look  here,  dear  Lyon  !  I  want  you  to  notice  this 
amazing  resemblance,"  and  she  pointed  first  to  an  engraved 
head  of  the  artist  Raphael  occupying  the  centre  of  the 
title-page,  and  then  to  the  living  head  of  the  boy  Raphael 
bending  by  her  side. 

"  It  is  a  likeness,"  said  Lyon. 

"  Likeness !  It  is  a  portrait !  If  I  had  known  this  boy 
before,  and  had  seen  this  picture  anywhere  else,  I  should 
have  supposed  it  had  been  taken  for  him,"  said  Sybil,  ear 
nestly. 

Lyon  closed  the  book,  and  asked  her  to  play  and  sing  a 
certain  beautiful  evening  hymn  which  was  a  great  favorite 
with  them,  after  which  he  suggested  they  should  retire. 

So  passed  the  first  evening  of  Sybil's  recovered  home. 

The  next  morning,  after  she  had  breakfasted,  she  took 
another  school-girl's  holiday  frolic.  She  ran  all  over  the 
house,  renewing  her  acquaintance  with  every  room. 

She  had  scarcely  finished  her  pleasant  tour,  when  old 


HOME.  169 

Joe  came  after  her  to  say  that  Marser  Sheridan,  from 
Blackville  had  called  to  see  her. 

Her  counsel  ! 

The  announcement  of  this  visitor  awoke  Sybil  from  her 
pleasant  dream  of  home  and  safety. 

With  trembling  hands  she  arranged  her  dress,  and  went 
below  to  the  parlor,  where  she  found  Mr.  Berners  entertain 
ing  the  lawyer. 

Both  arose  at  her  entrance,  and  Mr.  Sheridan  shook 
hands  with  her,  saying  : 

"  I  do  not  know  a  better  place  to  get  up  my  brief  for  the 
defence,  Mrs.  Berners,  than  here  on  the  scene  of  the  trag 
edy  and  the  imputed  crime." 

The  tone  and  manner  of  the  lawyer  were  very  cheerful, 
and  at  once  restored  Sybil's  composure. 

"  I  have  heard  your  explanation  of  the  circumstances 
that  led  you  to  the  bed-side  of  Eosa  Blondelle,  at  the  mo 
ment  in  which  her  murderer  had  left  her,  but  I  heard  it  at 
second  hand.  I  would  now  hear  it  from  yourself,"  said  Mr. 
Sheridan. 

Sybil  began  and  related  the  whole  story,  which  the  law 
yer  took  down  from  her  lips. 

"  Now,"  he  said,  "  Mr.  Berners,  I  would  have  your  state 
ment,  commencing  from  the  moment  the  deceased  rushed 
into  the  library." 

Lyon  Berners  related  the  circumstances  attending  Rosa 
Blondelle's  death,  as  far  as  he  knew  them. 

"  And  now  I  would  like  to  minutely  examine  the  room 
in  which  the  crime  was  committed,"  said  Mr.  Sheridan. 

"  Come,  then,"  answered  Lyon  Berners.  And  he  led  the 
lawyer  to  the  rooms  lately  occupied  by  Rosa  Blondelle. 

"  A  man  might  easily  have  escaped  by  these  windows  an 
instant  after  having  committed  the  crime.  They  close  with 
a  spring  catch.  The  fact  of  their  having  been  found  fas 
tened  when  the  room  was  examined,  proves  nothing  what- 


170  TRIED     FOB     HER     LIFE. 

ever  against  my  client.  The  murderer  could  in  an  instant 
unfasten  one  of  them  from  within,  jump  through,  and  clap 
it  to  behind  him,  when  it  would  be  as  fast  as  if  secured  bj 
a  careful  servant  within,"  said  the  lawyer,  after  the  exam 
ination  was  complete. 

Then  they  all  returned  to  the  library,  where  Mr.  Sheri 
dan  summed  up  his  brief  for  the  defence. 

w  Give  yourself  no  uneasiness,  Mrs.  Berners,"  he  said. 
"  Your  case  lies  in  a  nut-shell.  It  is  based  upon  your  own 
explanation  of  your  attitude  at  the  bed-side  of  the  victim, 
and  upon  the  fact,  which  I  shall  undertake  to  prove,  that 
the  assassin  had  escaped  from  the  window  at  the  foot  of  the 
bed." 

The  lawyer  spoke  so  cheerfully  that  Sybil's  spirits  rose 
again. 

He  then,  as  a  precautionary  measure,  he  said,  to  give 
them  the  help  of  the  greatest  bulwarks  of  the  bar,  advised 
that  they  should  write  to  Washington  to  engage  the  ser 
vices  of  the  celebrated  Ishmael  Worth,  who,  in  a  case  like 
this,  would  apply  in  the  regular  way  to  be  admitted  to 
plead. 

Mr.  Berners  accepted  this  advice,  and  said  that  he  would 
lose  no  time  in  following  it. 

Then  the  lawyer  took  his  leave. 

He  had  scarcely  got  out  of  sight  before  Captain  Pendle- 
ton  and  his  sister  Beatrix  drove  up  to  the  door. 

"  I  have  come  to  stay  with  you  as  long  as  you  will  let 
me,  my  darling,  said  Beatrix,  as  Sybil  hastened  to  welcome 
her. 

"  Then  you  will  stay  with  me  forever,  or  until  you  are 
happily  married,  dearest,"  answered  Sybil,  hospitably,  as 
she  led  her  friend  up  to  a  bedroom  to  lay  off  her  bonnet. 

Captain  Pendleton,  meantime,  was  taken  care  of  by  Mr. 
Berners. 

"  Clement ! "  said  the  latter,   when  he  had  taken  his 


HOME.  171 

guest  to  his  dressing-room,  "  we  are  old,  tried  friends,  and 
need  not  fear  to  speak  the  truth  to  each  other.  Tell  me 
now,  frankly,  has  not  the  action  of  the  judge,  in  admitting 
Sybil  to  bail,  been  very  much  censured  ?  Will  it  not  injure 
him  and  affect  his  position,  even  to  the  risk  of  impeach 
ment  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no !  There  is  a  great  deal  of  talk,  to  be  sure. 
Malcontents  complain  that  he  has  exceeded  his  prerogative, 
that  he  has  overstepped  the  law,  that  he  has  tried  to  estab 
lish  a  dangerous  precedent,  and  so  on,  and  so  on." 

"  And  what  does  Judge  Ruthven  say  to  all  this  ?  " 

"  Nothing,  nothing  whatever !  Do  you  suppose  for  an 
instant  he  is  going  to  condescend  to  defend  himself  to  such 
asses  ?  He  says  nothing." 

"  But  his  friends  !  his  friends  !  surely  they  defend  him  ?  " 

"  They  do.  They  tell  the  donkeys  that  a  judge  has  cer 
tain  discretionary  powers  to  modify  the  severity  of  the  law 
when  justice  requires  it ;  that  these  modifications  become 
precedents  for  other  judges  to  follow,  and  finally  they 
become  laws  that  none  may  dispute  ;  that  in  this  case  Judge 
Ruthven  has  followed  the  spirit  of  the  law,  if  not  its  letter; 
that  he  based  his  act  upon  the  fact  that  the  accused  lady, 
being  perfectly  safe  from  the  officers  of  the  law  at  the  time, 
voluntarily  came  forward,  delivered  herself  up,  and  chal 
lenged  a  trial ;  and  that  therefore  she  was  a  worthy  object 
of  the  privilege  of  bail." 

Honest  Clement  Pendleton  was  no  lawyer,  and  he  had 
spoken  a  trifle  unprofessionally ;  but  it  was  no  matter. 
Lyon  Berners  understood  him,  and  was  satisfied. 

Sybil  and  Beatrix  came  down  to  join  them ;  and  then 
they  all  adjourned  to  the  dining-room,  where  they  had 
luncheon. 

Then  Captain  Pendleton  went  home,  leaving  Beatrix 
with  Sybil. 

A  few  days  after  this  the  Court  adjourned,  and  Sybil 


172  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

knew  that  sho  would  not  be  brought  to  trial  until  the  spring 
term.  In  that  long  interval,  what  discoveries  might  not  be 
made  to  save  her  ?  Her  hopes  rose  high. 

"  But  oh  ! "  she  thought,  with  a  shudder,  "  if  these 
months  had  to  be  passed  in  prison  ! "  And  in  the  depths 
of  her  grateful  heart  she  again  thanked  Providence  a&d 
Judge  Ruthven  for  her  restoration  to  home  and  friends. 

Then  Christmas  came.  Under  the  circumstances  they 
preferred  to  spend  it  very  quietly.  Beatrix  was  still  with 
them,  and  Clement  was  invited  to  come  and  dine  on  Christ 
mas-day. 

Sybil  took  great  delight  in  delighting.  And  if  good 
taste  forbade  her  now  to  indulge  in  the  lavish  hospitality 
and  gay  festivity  that  had  always  been  customary  in  Black 
Hall  at  this  season,  she  determined  to  indemnify  herself  by 
making  unusually  handsome  presents  to  her  servants  and 
dependants,  as  well  as  the  most  liberal  donations  to  the 
poor — and  so  to  be  happy  in  the  happiness  she  should 
bestow. 

With  this  intention  she  put  a  small  fortune  in  her 
longest  parse,  and  went  in  her  roomiest  carriage  to  Black- 
ville,  intending  to  empty  the  purse  and  fill  the  carriage 
before  her  return. 

The  day  being  Christmas  eve,  the  village  was  full  of 
people,  come  there  to  shop  for  the  holidays,  and  poor  Sybil 
was  brought  to  a  sense  of  her  condition  by  the  treatment 
she  received — silence,  rude  stares,  or  injurious  whispers 
greeted  her  as  she  passed.  But  they  were  only  pin  thrusts, 
which  she  soon  forgot  in  the  interesting  errand  upon  which 
she  had  come. 

She  loaded  her  carriage  with  bundles,  boxes,  and  baskets, 
and  returned  home  in  time  to  separate  the  treasures,  and 
write  upon  each  one  of  them  the  name  of  the  person  for 
whom  it  was  intended. 

The  next  morning  Captain  Pendleton  arrived  early,  to 


HOME.  173 

assist  in  the  distribution  of  the  presents.  No  one  was 
neglected ;  every  body  was  made  happy  with  several  valu 
able  gifts. 

Little  Cro'  went  to  paradise  in  the  corner  of  the  room, 
with  his  cap  full  of  toys. 

That  day  also  Sybil's  dependents  enjoyed  as  good  a  dinner 
as  was  set  for  herself  and  her  friends.  So,  after  all,  in  spite 
of  fate,  they  kept  their  "Christmas,  merry  still." 

When  it  was  generally  known  that  Sybil  Berners  had 
returned  to  Black  Hall,  there  was  much  discussion  among 
the  ladies  as  to  whether  they  should  call  on  her. 

Some  declared  that  she  was  a  murderess,  whose  face  they 
never  could  bear  to  look  on,  and  therefore  of  course  they 
never  would  go  near  her.  Others,  who  said  that  they 
believed  her  guiltless  and  wished  her  well,  added,  that  they 
felt  the  same  delicacy  in  going  or  in  staying  away — as  in 
the  first  case  Mrs.  Berners  might  consider  their  call  aE 
intrusion  from  motives  of  curiosity,  and  in  the  second  case 
she  might  construe  their  absence  into  intentional  neglect. 
And  between  these  two  extremes  there  was  every  shade  of 
opinion  as  to  Sybil's  culpability,  and  every  sort  of  reason 
for  not  going  to  see  her  just  yet. 

And  so  it  followed  that  Sybil  passed  a  whole,  good, 
peaceful  fortnight  in  the  company  of  her  husband,  her  three 
devoted  friends,  her  faithful  servants,  and  her  little  pets. 

But  at  length,  early  in  January,  sympathy  on  the  one 
hand  and  curiosity  on  the  other  prevailed  over  every  feeling 
and  reason,  and  Sybil's  neighbors,  both  detractors  and  de 
fenders,  began  to  call  on  her. 

But  Mrs.  Berners  had  penetration  enough  to  know  her 
friends  from  her  foes,  and  so  she  felt  no  hesitation  and  made 
BO  mistakes  when  she  welcomed  the  visits  of  the  first  and 
declined  those  of  the  last  mentioned. 

So  the  winter  slipped  away  peacefully  enough,  and  Sybil 
seldom  remembered  what  her  friends  tried  to  make  her  for 
get — the  heavy  cloud  that  still  hung  over  her  fate. 


174  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

She  was  reminded  of  it  only  when  her  counsel  came  to 
consult  with  her ;  but  then  they  always  wore  cheerful  coun 
tenances,  and  spoke  hopeful  words  that  inspired  her  with 
confidence  and  courage. 

Sometimes  indeed,  the  recollection  of  the  awful  crisis 
that  could  not  be  shunned,  that  must  be  met,  would  come  to 
her  in  the  middle  watches  of  the  night,  and  fill  her  soul 
with  horror ;  but  with  the  first  beams  of  the  morning  sun, 
this  darkness  of  her  spirit,  like  the  darkness  of  the  hour, 
would  pass  away. 

In  was  in  all  the  reviving  life  and  budding  beauty  of 
early  spring,  that  the  Criminal  Court  resumed  its  sittings 
at  Blackville. 

The  case  of  Sybil  Berners,  charged  with  the  murder  of 
Rosa  Blondelle,  was  the  very  first  upon  the  docket. 

It  was  a  day  as  bright,  beautiful,  and  glorious  as  any  day 
that  ever  dawned,  when  the  summons  came  that  called  Mrs. 
Berners  up  to  the  court  to  be  put  upon  trial  for  her  life. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE   TRIAL   FOR   LIFE. 

If  you  condemn  me,  fle  upon  your  law  I 

There  is  no  right  In  the  decrees  of  judges 

I  stand  for  justice  !    Answer  I    Shall  I  have  it  ?— SHA.KZBPEARK. 

THE  awful  contrast  that  there  was  between  her  appear 
ance  of  the  fairest  freedom  and  her  reality  of  the  darkest 
bondage !  «- 

But  she  scarcely  realized  such  a  contrast  until  that  morn 
ing,  when  she  arose  and  threw  open  her  south  window  and 
looked  out  upon  her  own  beautiful  home  valley,  now  fresh 
with  the  verdure  of  early  spring,  and  radiant  with  the  light 
of  the  young  day.  A  luminous  haze  like  sifted  gold-dust 


THE     TRIAL     FOR     LIFE.  175 

hung  around  the.  mountain  tops  ;  a  dewy  freshness  sparkled 
on  their  wooded  sides ;  and  the  river  lay  like  a  clear  mirror 
below. 

"  Must  she  leave  all  this  for  the  terrors  of  the  court 
room  ?  "  she  inquired,  with  a  shudder  of  her  shrinking 
heart.  And  for  a  moment  she  felt  that  even  the  gloom  of 
the  prison  might  have  better  prepared  her  to  meet  the  hor 
rors  of  a  trial  for  life,  than  this  peaceful,  bright  home  stay 
ing  had  done. 

Yes,  the  contrast  between  her  surroundings  and  her  im 
pending  ordeal  seemed  an  awful  mockery  of  fate ! 

She  knew  that  the  court  would  open  for  the  spring  term 
that  day  j  but  she  did  not  know  that  she  would  be  wanted 
so  soon. 

They  were  all  at  breakfast  that  morning  in  the  cheerful 
front  parlor. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berners,  their  protege  Raphael,  their  little 
adopted  baby-boy  Cromartie,  who  always  sat  in  a  high 
chair  beside  his  benefactress,  Beatrix  Pendleton  who  was 
resolved  to  stay  with  Sybil  to  the  last,  and  Tabitha  Winte- 
rose  who  sat  at  the  head  of  the  table  to  serve  out  the  coffee 
and  tea,  because  Sybil  had  said  that  everything  tasted  bet 
ter  coming  from  "Old  Tabby's"  hand  —  these  were  all 
gathered  around  the  table,  when  Sheriff  Fortescue  was 
announced  and  entered  the  room. 

"  You  have  come  for  me  ! "  said  Sybil,  in  a  low,  terrified 
tone,  as  she  arose  from  her  seat  before  any  one  else  could 
move  or  speak. 

"  Resume  your  seat,  Mrs.  Berners,  and  finish  your  break 
fast.  There  is  n<~  hurry,"  answered  the  old  gentleman,  as 
calmly  as  he  could. 

Then  he  saluted  the  party,  shook  hands  with  Mr.  Ber 
ners,  and  accepted  the  seat  offered  him  by  Joe. 

"  She  is  wanted  this  morning  ?  "  inquired  Mr.  Berners, 
in  a  low  voice. 


173  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

The  sheriff  bowed  gravely  in  assent. 

Sybil  had  been  kindly  pressed  to  resume  her  seat  and 
finish  her  breakfast.  She  sank  back  into  her  chair  indeed, 
but  could  not  eat  another  morsel.  Nor  could  any  one  else 
at  the  table,  not  even  poor  little  Cro',  who  saw  by  the  faces 
of  all  around  that  something  terrible  had  happened,  or  was 
about  to  do  so. 

The  meal  was  at  an  end.  The  breakfast  party  arose  in 
trepidation. 

"  Is  she  wanted  now,  immediately  ? "  hastily  inquired 
Lyon  Berners. 

The  sheriff  again  bowed  in  assent,  but  added  : 

"  I  do  not  wish  to  hurry  her." 

"  I  will  not  keep  you  waiting,  Mr.  Fortescue,"  said  Sybil, 
trying  to  steady  her  voice,  as  she  prepared  to  leave  the 
room. 

But  here  little  Cro',  who  had  been  watching  every  body 
anxiously,  found  out  by  some  process  of  his  own  that  the 
terrible  thing  which  was  going  to  happen  threatened  Sybil, 
and  he  slid  down  from  his  high  chair  at  the  risk  of  break 
ing  his  limbs,  and  ran  to  her  and  clung  to  her  dress. 

"  Take  him  away,  Miss  Tabby  !  Sybil  is  going  to  Black- 
ville,  Cro',  and  she  will  bring  Cro'  some  candy,  when  she 
comes  back,"  she'  said,  tenderly  placing  the  child  in  Miss 
Winterose's  arms. 

Mr.  Berners  told  Joe  to  have  the  carriage  brought  around 
and  to  prepare  to  drive  it,  and  then  he  gave  his  arm  to 
Sybil,  who  really  needed  its  support  in  going  up  to  her 
chamber. 

Beatrix  followed  her. 

Raphael  walked  up  and  down  the  length  of  the  breakfast- 
room,  in  uncontrollable  agitation. 

Miss  Tabby  clasped  the  child  to  her  bosom,  and  rocking 
him  and  herself  to  and  fro,  wept  and  sobbed  bitterly. 

"  Aad  as  for  me,  I  feel  like  a  hangman,"  muttered  old 


THE     TRIAL     FOR     LIFE.  177 

Mr.  Fortescue  to  himself  as  he  stood  looking  moodily  out 
of  the  window. 

Mr.  Fortescue  had  not  been  high  sheriff  very  long,  and 
was  new  to  the  ghastly  duties  of  his  office,  to  be  sure,  he 
might  have  easily  deputed  this  irksome  task  to  another,  but 
he  chose  to  perform  it  himself,  lest  that  others  should  not 
do  it  so  kindly. 

In  a  few  moments  Sybil  returned,  ready  for  her  drive. 

She  was  dressed — her  dress  was  afterwards  minutely  de 
scribed,  in  the  county  paper,  and  also  in  many  others  that 
reported  the  trial — she  was  dressed  then  in  a  light  gray  suit 
throughout,  bonnet,  mantle,  and  gown  being  of  the  same 
material,  and  even  gloves  and  vail  of  the  same  hue  ;  a  pale 
blush  rose  relieved  the  neutral  shade  of  her  bonnet,  and  a 
ribbon  of  the  same  delicate  tint  fastened  her  small  linen 
collar. 

Beatrix  Pendleton,  in  a  black  silk  suit,  with  a  black  lace 
bonnet  and  shawl,  followed  her. 

Beatrix,  with  the  warm  approbation  of  her  brother,  had 
determined  to  sit  in  the  dock,  beside  Sybil.  She,  the  falsely 
accused  lady,  should  not  go  there  unsupported  by  the  pres 
ence  of  another  lady. 

"  Good-bye,  Kaphael !  good-bye,  Miss  Tabby  !  I  hope  to 
be  back  this  evening.  Good-bye,  dear  little  Cro' !  Sybil 
will  bring  you  something  good,  when  she  comes,"  said  Mrs. 
Berners,  with  all  the  cheerfulness  she  could  command. 

But  Raphael  turned  pale  as  death  when  he  silently  gave 
her  his  hand. 

Miss  Tabby  could  not  speak,  for  hysterical  sobs. 

Little  Cro'  cried  outright. 

To  shorten  this  trying  scene,  Mr.  Berners  drew  his  wife's 
arm  within  his  own  and  led  her  to  the  carriage.  He  had 
just  settled  her  in  the  back  seat,  when  little  Nelly  rushed 
past  everybody,  and  ran  up  the  steps,  and  crouched  breath 
less  and  palpitating  at  the  feet  of  her  mistress. 
11 


178  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

"  Yes  ;  let  her  stay,  Lyou,"  said  Sybil,  lifting  the  faithful 
little  creature  to  her  lap. 

Mr.  Berners  next  helped  Miss  Pendleton  to  a  seat  beside 
his  wife,  then  entered  the  carriage  and  took  his  place  oppo 
site  Sybil,  while  Mr.  Fortescue  got  in  and  sat  down  in  the 
fourth  seat,  facing  Beatrix. 

And  Joe  got  his  order  to  drive  on  towards  Blackville. 

Scarcely  a  word  was  spoken  for  the  first  mile.  It  was 
Sybil  who  broke  the  silence. 

"  Will  my  counsel  meet  me  at  the  court,  Mr.  Fortescue  ?  " 
she  inquired. 

"They  are  waiting  for  you,  Madam.  Mr.  Worth  has 
arrived,  and  is  in  earnest  consultation  with  Mr.  Sheridan," 
gently  replied  Mr.  Fortescue. 

"  How  long  do  you  think  the  trial  will  last,  Mr.  Fortes- 
cue  ?  "  tremblingly  inquired  Sybil. 

"  It  is  quite  impossible  to  form  an  opinion,  madam,"  re 
plied  the  Sheriff. 

"  My  dear  Sybil,"  said  Lyon  Berners,  "  let  us  hope  and 
trust  that  the  trial  will  be  short,  and  the  result  acquittal. 
Keep  up  your  courage." 

But  he  who  gave  her  this  advice  found  his  own  heart  fast 
failing  him.  He  could  fearlessly  have  met  his  fate  in  his 
own  person  ;  but  in  the  person  of  his  beloved  wife — 

Fortunately  for  our  unhappy  party,  it  was  not  generally 
known  that  the  accused  lady  would  be  put  on  trial  this  day; 
so  when  they  drove  into  Blackville,  they  found  no  more  than 
the  usual  little  crowd  about  the  hotel  and  the  court-house. 

The  carriage  was  drawn  up  before  the  last-named  build 
ing. 

The  two  gentlemen  got  out  and  assisted  their  companions 
to  alight. 

As  they  were  about  to  enter  the  court-house,  Sybil  lifted 
her  hand  to  draw  her  gray  veil  before  her  face ;  but  Beatrix 
stayed  her. 

"  Do  n't  do  it,  my  dear  Sybil.     You  have  no  reason  to  veil 


THE     TRIAL      FOR     LIFE.  179 

your  face,  or  bend  your  head,  or  even  lower  your  eyes,  before 
the  gaze  of  any  one  alive ! "  she  said,  proudly,  for  her 
friend. 

Sybil  felt  the  force  of  these  words,  and  indeed  her  own 
pride  seconded  their  advice. 

"  I  will  take  you  first  to  my  room,  where  your  counsel  are 
waiting  to  speak  with  you,"  said  old  Mr.  Fortescue,  draw 
ing  Sybil's  hand  through  his  arm,  and  leading  her,  followed 
by  her  husband  and  her  friend,  into  the  sheriff's  office. 

There  they  found  Mr.  Sheridan  standing  at  a  long  table 
covered  with  green  baize  and  laden  with  papers. 

With  him  was  a  gentleman  whose  grandeur  and  beauty 
of  person  and  manner  must  have  deeply  impressed  any  be 
holder,  under  any  circumstances.  "  The  form  of  Apollo  and 
the  front  of  Jove,"  had  been  said  of  him  ;  and  if  it  had 
been  added  that  he  possessed  the  intellectual  power  of  a 
Cicero,  and  shared  the  divine  spirit  of  Christ,  it  would  have 
been  equally  true. 

"  Mr.  Worth,  late  of  the  Washington  Bar,  now  admitted 
to  practice  here  for  your  benefit,  Mrs.  Berners,"  said  Mr. 
Sheridan,  presenting  his  colleague,  after  he  himself  had 
greeted  the  party. 

Sybil  lifted  her  glance  to  meet  the  gaze  of  the  pure, 
sweet,  strong  spirit  that  looked  forth  on  Ler  from  Ishmael 
Worth's  beautiful  eyes. 

Sybil  Berners  might  have  been  presented  to  half  the 
•weak-minded  kings  and  vain  queens  on  their  mouldering  old 
European  thrones,  without  the  slightest  trepidation ;  but 
before  this  glorious  son  of  the  soil,  this  self-made  man  of  the 
people,  this  magnate  of  the  American  Bar,  this  monarch  of 
noble  Nature's  crowning,  this  magnificent  Ishmael  Worth, 
her  spirit  bowed  in  sincere  homage,  and  she  lowered  her  eyes 
and  courtsied  deeply,  before  she  offered  him  her  hand. 

Holding  that  little  hand  between  his  own,  he  spoke  a  few 
strong,  reviving  words  to  her. 


180  TIIIED      FOR      HER     LIFE. 

lie  told  her,  in  the  first  place,  that  he  had  spent  the 
whole  night  in  making  himself  master  of  her  case  ;  that  his 
firm  faith  in  her  innocence  would  give  him  great  power  as 
her  advocate ;  that  he  would  do  his  best  for  her  sake ;  but 
that  while  doing  his  best,  they  must  lean  on  Divine  Provi 
dence  for  support  and  deliverance,  who,  in  his  own  good  time 
— later,  if  not  sooner — would  vindicate  the  innocent. 

And  as  he  uttered  these  words,  looking  down  in  her  face, 
he  infused  into  her  soul  comfort  and  courage,  and  patience 
to  meet  the  worst  this  first  day  of  trial  might  bring. 

But  no  one  knew  better  than  Mr.  Worth  the  almost  utter 
hopelessness  of  the  cause  he  had  undertaken  to  defend  ;  and 
that  was  no  small  sacrifice  for  an  eminently  successful  bar 
rister  like  Ishmael  Worth,  who  had  never  in  the  course  of 
his  professional  career  lost  a  single  case,  to  withdraw  him 
self  from  his  own  bar  and  business,  and  take  much  trouble 
to  get  admitted  to  practice  at  another,  for  the  sake  of  de 
fending  an  utter  stranger,  in  whose  case  there  seemed  not 
more  than  one  chance  in  a  thousand  of  success. 

But  if  there  had  not  been  even  that  one  slight  chance, 
etill  the  magnanimity  and  tenderness  of  Ishraael  Worth's 
nature  would  have  brought  him  to  the  accused  lady's  side, 
her  defender  to  the  death. 

Something  like  this  passed  through  the  mind  of  Lyon 
Berners  as  he  grasped  the  hand  of  Mr.  Worth,  and  warmly 
thanked  him. 

And  then  the  sheriff  drew  Sybil's  arm  within  his  own  to 
lead  her  on.  Lyon  Berners  offered  his  arm  to  Beatrix 
Pendleton,  and  followed  them.  The  counsel  brought  up 
the  rear. 

Thus  the  little  procession  entered  the  court- room. 
The  presiding  judge,  Joseph  Kuthven,  sat  oh  the  bench, 
with  two  associate  judges,  the  one  on  bis  right  hand,  the 
other  on  his  left.     A  few  lawyers  and  law  officers  sat  or 
stood  around  in  groups.     On  the  judge's  extreme  right,  a 


THE     TBIAL     FOE     LIFE.  181 

little  below  the  bench,  two  long  seats  were  occupied  by  wit 
nesses  for  the  prosecution  ;  on  the  extreme  left  was  the 
jury-box  ;  in  the  intermediate  space  in  front  of  the  bench, 
stood  the  prisoner's  dock,  the  witness's  stand,  and  the  coun 
sel's  tables.  The  remaining  portion  of  the  room,  nearest 
the  front  doors,  was  filled  up  with  the  spectators'  seats. 
But  very  few  spectators  were  present ;  only  some  dozen 
villagers  who  had  nothing  better  to  do  than  to  loiter  there, 
and  some  score  of  farmers  who  had  that  morning  come  to 
market,  and  had  dropped  in  to  see  what  might  be  going  on 
at  the  court. 

Great  was  their  excitement  when  they  saw  Mrs.  Berners 
led  in  by  the  sheriff,  and  followed  by  her  friends.  They 
had  not  expected  her  trial  would  come  on  so  soon.  Indeed, 
an  absurd  rumor  had  prevailed  that  she  would  not  be 
brought  to  trial  at  all.  But  now  here  she  was,  sure  enough, 
and  they  stared  at  her  with  dilated  eyes  and  open  mouths. 

Sybil  impulsively  put  up  her  hand  to  drop  her  veil ;  but 
remembering  Beatrix  Pendleton's  words,  she  refrained,  and 
turned  and  swept  her  proud  eye  round  upon  the  gazers, 
whose  lids  fell  under  her  glance. 

She  was  not  put  into  the  dock,  but  offered  a  chair  at  the 
table  with  her  counsel.  She  bowed  to  the  bench  before 
taking  her  seat.  On  her  right  sat  her  husband ;  on  her 
left,  her  friend  Beatrix  Pendleton,  near  her  counsel.  She 
was  very  much  agitated,  but  a  pressure  from  the  hand  of 
her  husband,  a  glance  from  the  eyes  of  Ishmael  Worth, 
helped  to  reassure  her. 

ISTor  must  the  fidelity  of  another  friend,  a  poor  little  four- 
footed  friend,  be  forgotten.  Little  Nelly  had  faithfully 
followed  her  mistress,  and  now  lay  curled  up  at  her  feet. 

Meanwhile  the  preliminary  forms  of  the  trial  proceeded. 
The  jurymen  were  sworn  in  and  took  their  seats.  Then 
Mr.  Sheridan  touched  his  client's  hand  to  call  her  attention, 
while  the  clerk  of  arraigns,  standing  up  with  an  open  docu- 


182  TRIED     FOB     HER     LIFE. 

ment  in  his  hands  directed  the  accused  to  listen  to  the  read 
ing  of  the  indictment. 

Sybil  raised  her  head  and  became  attentive,  while  that 
officer  read  aloud  the  terrible  instrument,  setting  forth  that 
Sybil  Berners  of  Black  Hall,  in  the  county  of  Blank, 
being  instigated  thereto  by  diabolical  agency,  did,  with 
malice  aforethought,  on  the  night  of  the  thirty-first  of  Octo 
ber  ultimo,  feloniously  break  into  the  chamber  of  Rosa 
Blondelle,  then  residing  at  Black  Hall,  in  the  county  of 
Blank,  and  there  did  unlawfully  and  maliciously  stab,  kill, 
and  murder  the  said  Rosa  Bloudelle,  etc.,  etc.,  etc. 

During  the  reading  of  this  indictment,  charging  her  with 
a  crime  at  once  so  base  and  so  atrocious,  Sybil's  emotions 
were  all  revolutionized.  No  longer  unmerited  shame  and 
terror  had  power  to  bend  her  soul.  The  fiery  spirit  of  her 
race  arose  within  her ;  the  "  burning  blood  "  boiled  in  her 
veins;  a  fierce  indignation  flashed  from  her  dark  eyes,  like 
lightning  from  a  mid-night  cloud  ;  bitter  scorn  curled  her 
beautiful  lips. 

When  told  to  stand  up,  to  hold  up  her  hand,  and  to 
answer  whether  she  were  guilty  or  not  guilty  of  the  felony 
laid  to  her  charge,  she  answered  haughtily  : 

"Not  guilty,  of  course,  as  every  one  here  knows,  or  should 
know.  No  more  guilty  than  were  many  of  the  queens  and 
princesses  of  old,  who  were  martyred  for  crimes  that  we  in 
these  days  know  they  never  committed." 

She  had  exceeded  the  forms  of  law,  and  said  more  than 
was  necessary;  but  her  heart  was  on  fire,  and  she  could  not 
help  it ;  and  no  one  interrupted  her. 

"  How  will  you  be  tried  ? "  proceeded  the  clerk  of 
arraigns,  trying  to  avoid  the  beautiful,  terrible  eyes  that 
were  gazing  on  him. 

"  By  God  and — my  peers,  if  indeed  I  have  any  peers 
here,"  answered  this  arrogant  young  Berners,  sweeping  her 
full  eyes  scornfully  over  the  rustic  occupants  of  the  jury  box, 
and  then  resuming  her  seat. 


THE     TRIAL     FOR     LIFE.  183 

Her  words  and  manner  did  her  no  good  ;  their  only  effect 
upon  the  jury  was  to  convince  them  that  Mrs.  Berners  had 
inherited  all  the  furious  passions  of  her  forefathers,  and  that 
she  was  an  excessively  high-tempered  and  high-spirited 
young  lady,  quite  capable  of  doing  a  very  rash  deed. 

"  Patience,  patience,  my  dearest  one,"  whispered  her  hus 
band,  as  he  passed  his  arm  behind  her. 

"  I  cannot  be  patient  or  prudent,  Lyon,  under  such 
insults.  I  cannot,  if  they  kill  me,"  she  fiercely  whispered 
back. 

"  Hush,  hush,"  he  said,  softly  patting  her  shoulder. 
And  then  both  became  quiet,  while  the  business  of  the 
trial  proceeded. 

The  State's  Attorney,  Charles  Goldman,  took  the  bill  of 
indictment  from  the  hand  of  the  clerk,  and  proceeded  to 
open  the  case.  Mr.  Goldman  was  not  the  friend  of  the 
accused,  neither  was  he  her  enemy.  He  did  not  belong  to 
the  old  aristocracy  of  the  State,  neither  had  he  distinguished 
himself  in  any  manner.  A  successful  lawyer  he  was,  in  so 
far  as  he  had  attained  his  present  position,  but  no  farther. 
He  had  never  been  admitted  within  the  exclusive  circles  of 
Black  Hall,  or  shared  its  hospitalities.  And  if  this  exclu 
sion  did  not  make  him  the  enemy  of  the  lady  of  that  manor, 
it  certainly  did  not  embarrass  him  with  any  of  those  old 
associations  of  friendship  and  intimacy,  such  as  might  have 
distressed  him,  had  he  been,  like  nearly  all  the  other  mem 
bers  of  the  Blackville  bar,  the  frequent  guest  of  her  father 
and  her  husband. 

Thus  the  State's  Attorney  could  deal  with  the  lady  of 
Black  Hall,  as  he  would  deal  with  any  other  person  on  trial 
at  that  court. 

He  opened  the  indictment,  and  gave  the  theory  of  the 
crime.  Here  was  no  complication,  he  said,  and  no  uncer 
tainty.  The  case  was  so  clear,  that  it  need  occupy  the  court 
but  a  little  time.  He  then,  in  a  grand,  eloquent,  and  highly 


184  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

colored  style,  described  the  murder.  He  drew  a  moving  pic 
ture  of  the  lovely  young  victim,  whose  fair  image  many  who 
were  present,  he  said,  would  recall  with  tears  of  pity ;  he 
described  her  accepting  the  invitation  of  the  jealous  mistresa 
of  Black  Hall,  and  drawn  within  its  dread  doors,  as  a  bird 
is  enticed  into  the  trap  which  is  to  be  its  destruction.  He 
showed  her  on  that  fatal  Hallow  Eve  reposing  in  her  cham 
ber,  sleeping  the  sleep  of  innocence  in  fancied  security. 
He  painted,  in  lurid  colors,  the  form  of  the  murderess  steal 
ing  down  the  stairs  that  led  to  her  victim's  room,  "  in  the 
dead  waste  and  middle  of  the  night,"  creeping  to  the  inno 
cent  sleeper's  bedside,  and  plunging  the  fatal  dagger  in  her 
peaceful,  unsuspicious  bosom.  He  described  the  startled 
look  and  cry  of  the  victim,  sh'ocked  from  calm  repose  by  a 
violent  and  bloody  death ;  the  scene  of  confusion,  horror, 
and  terror  that  ensued ;  the  dying  words  of  Rosa  Blondelle, 
charging  Sybil  Berners  with  her  death.  He  adverted  to 
the  guilty  flight  of  the  murderess  and  the  desperate  means 
she  and  her  friends  had  taken  even  to  the  immolating  of 
other  lives,  to  secure  her  escape ;  until  at  length,  unable  to 
hold  out  against  the  authorities  any  longer,  she  had  surrei> 
dered  at  discretion,  and  made  a  merit  of  giving  herself  up 
to  justice.  AH  this,  he  concluded,  he  should  undertake  to 
prove  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  jury. 

He  then  proceeded  to  call  the  witnesses  for  the  prosecu 
tion.  The  first  witness  called  to  the  stand  was — Sybil's 
best  friend,  Captain  Clement  Pendleton  of  Pendleton  Park. 

He  came  forward  slowly,  with  a  pale,  stern  face.  He 
would  rather  have  lost  his  power  of  speech,  than  have  used 
it  for  her  detriment.  But  he  was  known  to  have  been 
present  at  the  death  of  Rosa  Blondelle,  and  he  was  there 
fore  subpenaed  to  attend  the  trial  as  a  witness  for  the  pros 
ecution. 

Being  duly  sworn,  he  testified  that  he  had  been  startled 
by  loud  screams  from  the  room  below  his  chamber }  and  that 


THE      TRIAL     FOR     LIFE.  185 

on  rush  ing  down  into  that  roam,  he  had  found  Mrs.  Rosa 
Blondelle  bleeding  from  a  wound  in  her  chest,  and  sup 
ported  in  the  arms  of  Mr.  Lyon  Berners,  who  was  in  the 
act  of  bearing  her  across  the  room  to  the  sofa,  on  which  he 
then  laid  her. 

"  Was  there  any  one  else  in  the  room  ?  "  inquired  the 
prosecuting  attorney,  seeing  that  the  witness  had  paused. 

"  Mrs.  Berners  was  there." 

"  Describe  her  appearance." 

"  She  was  very  much  agitated,  as  was  quite  natural." 

"  Had  she  anything  in  her  hand  ?  "  . 

"  Yes,"  answered  Clemeat  Pendleton,  who  never  added 
a  word  against  Sybil  that  he  could  honestly  keep  back. 

"  Witness,  you  are  here  to  tell  the  whole  truth,  without 
reservation.  What  was  it  that  the  prisoner  held  in  her 
hand?" 

"  A  dagger — the  dagger,"  added  poor  Clement  Pendleton 
recklessly;  "  with  which  the  unknown  assassin  had  killed 
Mrs.  Blondelle. 

'•  Stay,  stay  !  we  are  going  a  little  too  fust  here.  Are 
you  prepared  to  swear  that  you  know,  of  your  own  knowl 
edge,  that  some  person  other  than  the  prisoner  at  the  bar 
'killed  Mrs.  Blondelle?'" 

Captain  Pendleton  was  a  soldier  and  no  lawyer,  }ret  he 
saw  at  once  how  his  faith  in  Sybil's  innocence  had  led  him 
to  the  false  step  of  stating  inferences  for  facts.  So  he 
explained : 

"  I  spoke  in  accordance  with  my  own  firm  convictions." 

"Ah,  but  I  fancy  your  own  conviction  will  not  prevent 
that  of  the  prisoner,"  commented  the  State's  Attorney, 
vritb  a  grim  humor. 

"  And  now,  Captain  Pendleton,"  he  continued,  as  you 
are  sworn  to  tell  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing 
hut  the  truth,  I  must  trouble  you  to  answer  the  questions 
here  put  to  you,  by  stating  exactly  such  facts  as  came 
under  your  personal  observation  only." 


186  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

And  then  he  resumed  the  examination  of  the  witness, 
and  drew  from  him  a  relation  of  all  the  fatal  circumstances 
that  occurred  in  the  library  at  Black  Hall,  on  the  night 
of  the  tragedy,  among  them  the  guilty  appearance  of  Sybil 
Berners  with  the  reeking  dagger  in  her  crimsoned  hand, 
and  the  dying  declaration  of  the  murdered  woman,  charging 
Sybil  Berners  with  her  death. 

He  would  have  gone  on  and  told  Sybil's  own  explanation 
of  her  appearance,  but  was  stopped  there  by  the  State's 
Attorney,  at  whose  request  the  presiding  Judge  instructed 
him  that  such  declarations  on  the  part  of  the  accused, 
could  not  be  received  in  evidence. 

And  so  he  was  told  to  withdraw. 

I  will  not  weary  my  readers  with  any  detailed  account  of 
this  trial.  A  slight  sketch  of  the  principal  points  will  be 
sufficient  for  our  purpose. 

There  were  some  half  dozen  more  witnesses  who  had  been 
present  at  the  death  of  Rosa  Blondelle,  and  who,  being 
duly  sworn,  corroborated  the  testimony  of  Captain  Pendle- 
ton. 

Then  the  Scotch  nurse,  Jennie  McGruder,  was  called  to 
the  stand. 

Her  testimony  bore  very  heavily  upon  the  accused. 

She  told  how,  on  the  night  of  the  murder,  she  had,  ac 
cording  to  her  custom,  carefully  searched  both  the  bed 
chamber  and  the  nursery  that  constituted  Mrs.  Blondelle's 
apartments ;  that  finding  no  intruder  there,  she  had  se 
curely  fastened  all  the  windows  and  all  the  doors  of  the  two 
rooms,  with  the  exception  of  the  door  leading  to  the  stair 
case  communicating  with  Mrs.  Berners'  apartments,  which 
were  immediately  above  those  of  Mrs.  Blondelle.  This 
door  was  always  left  unfastened,  as  it  was  thought  perfectly 
safe  to  leave  it  so. 

She  told  how,  while  she  was  with  the  child  in  the 
nursery  that  same  night,  she  was  startled  by  hearing  pierc- 


THE     TRIAL      FOR      LIFE.  187 

ing  screams  from  the  adjoining  bedroom ;  that  she  had 
rushed  there  in  time  to  see  the  deceased  Eosa  Blondelle 
running  wildly  from  the  room,  followed  by  the  prisoner, 
Sybil  Berners,  who  had  a  dagger  in  her  hand. 

She  also  corroborated  the  testimony  of  the  other  wit 
nesses  as  to  the  fatal  words  of  the  dying  woman  charging 
the  prisoner  with  her  death. 

After  this  witness  came  a  number  of  others  who  testified 
to  the  ill-feeling  which  existed  between  the  prisoner  and 
.the  deceased. 

These  witnesses  were  all  in  turn  severely  cross-examined 
by  the  counsel  for  the  defence,  but,  as  the  State's  Attorney 
had  said,  their  testimony  was  so  clear  and  simple  that  it 
was  impossible  to  involve  them  in  any  self-contradiction. 

The  State's  Attorney  had  also  been  very  careful  to  call 
the  attention  of  the  jury  to  each  condemning  point  of  the 
fatal  evidence  against  the  accused. 

And  here  the  examination  of  witnesses  on  the  part  of 
prosecution  closed,  and  the  court  adjourned. 

Sybil  was  conducted  into  the  sheriff's  room,  where 
refreshments  were  provided  by  that  kind-hearted  officer  for 
herself  and  her  friends,  and  where  everything  possible  was 
done  and  said  to  support  her  under  the  terrible  ordeal  of 
her  trial.  Being  still  under  bail,  as  she  would  be  to  the 
end  of  her  trial,  she  was  then  permitted  to  return  homo 
•with  her  friends  for  the  night. 

One  little  touching  event  must  be  recorded  here,  as  it 
showed  the  thoughtful  tenderness  of  her  nature.  Even  in 
the  midst  of  her  anguish  of  anxiety  in  regard  to  the  awful 
issues  in  the  result  of  this  trial,  she  remembered  baby  Cro' 
and  his  small  interests  ;  and  she  stopped  in  the  village  to 
procure  for  him  that  "  something  good "  which  she  had 
promised. 

But  to  do  the  orphan  justice,  he  was  gladder  to  see  Sybil 
than  to  get  what  she  brought  him. 


TRIED     FOR     HER      LIFE. 

Miss  Tabby  caugbt  her  in  her  arras,  and  wept  over  her. 

Raphael  did  not  weep,  nor  even  speak ;  but  he  clasped 
her  hands,  and  looked  at  her  with  a  silent  grief  more  elo 
quent  that  words  or  tears.  It  was  a  period  of  agony  to  all 
concerned;  and  Sybil  was  indebted  to  opium  for  all  the 
sleep  she  got  that  night. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE   VERDICT. 

"Til  not  ever 

The  justice  and  the  truth  o'  th'  question  carries 
The  due  o'  th'  verdict  with  it. — SUAKLSFEARI. 

AT  an  early  hour  the  next  morning  the  court  was  opened, 
the  Judges  resumed  their  seats,  and  the  accused  was  con 
ducted  back  to  her  place. 

Ishmael  Worth  opened  for  the  defence.   ; 

I  shall  not  even  attempt  to  give  so  much  as  an  epitome 
of  his  speech.  I  should  never  be  able  to  do  justice  to  the 
logic,  eloquence,  pathos,  and  power  of  his  oratory.  I  shall 
only  indicate  that  the  points  upon  which  he  dwelt  most 
were,  the  magnanimous  nature  of  his  client,  which  rendered 
her  utterly  incapable  of  committing  the  atrocious  crime 
with  which  she  stood  charged ;  the  fatal  fallibility  of  cir 
cumstantial  evidence,  which  he  illustrated  by  direct  refer 
ence  to  many  recorded  cases,  well-known  to  the  legal  pro 
fession,  in  which  parties  had  been  convicted  and  executed, 
under  the  strongest  possible  circumstantial  evidence,  and 
had  afterwards  been  discovered  to  have  been  guiltless  ;  the 
facility  with  which  a  murderer  might  have  concealed  him 
self  'in  that  bedroom  occupied  by  the  deceased  on  the  night 
of  the  murder,  have  eluded  the  search  of  the  sleepy  nurse, 
and  after  committing  his  crime,  being  frightened  by  the 


TffE      VERDICT.  189 

ecreams  of  his  awakened  victim,  should  have  escaped 
through  the  window  and  slammed  the  shutter  to,  from  the 
outside,  when  it  would  fasten  itself  with  its  spring  holt ; 
the  perfect  naturalness  of  the  circumstance  that  the  accused, 
on  hearing  her  guest  scream,  should  have  flown  down  those 
communicating  stairs  to  her  assistance,  and  should  have 
drawn  from  her  wounded  bosom  the  dagger  left  there  by  the 
flying  murderer.  This,  and  much  more  than,  can  even  be 
touched  upon  here,  he  said,  and  then  proceeded  to  call  wit 
nesses  for  the  defence. 

These  were  some  of  the  old  friends  and  neighbors  of  the 
accused  lady,  who  warmly  bore  witness  to  the  generosity  and 
nobility  of  her  nature,  which  placed  her  in  their  estimation 
so  far  above  the  possibility  of  committing  a  crime  so 
heinous. 

Then  came  the  white  servants  of  her  household,  who 
described  the  situation  of  Eosa  Blondelle's  rooms  on  the  first 
floor  of  Black  Hall ;  the  easy  entrance  into  them  from  the 
grounds  below,  and  the  insecure  spring  fastenings  of  the 
windows,  which  might  be  opened  from  without  by  a  thin, 
knife  passed  under  the  latch  and  lifted. 

All  felt  how  small  the  amount  of  material  was,  out  of 
which  even  the  most  learned  and  eloquent  advocate  could 
make  a  defence  for  Sybil  Berners. 

The  examination  of  the  witnesses  for  the  defence  closed. 

Mr.  Sheridan  then  made  his  last  effort  for  his  client,  and 
was  followed  by  Mr.  Worth,  both  of  whom  exerted  their 
utmost  faculties  in  the  hopeless  cause  of  their  unhappy 
client. 

But  ah  !  no  eloquence  of  theirs,  of  any  one's,  could  do 
away  with  the  damning  evidence  against  the  accused  lady. 

The  State's  attorney,  in  a  final  address  to  the  jury,  pointed 
out  this  fact,  and  then  sat  down. 

The  venerable  Judge  Joseph  Ruthven  arose  to  sura  up 
the  evidence  and  charge  the  jury.  We  know  that  he  be- 


TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

lieved  in  the  innocence  of  the  pure  and  noble  young  lady, 
•whom  he  had  known  from  her  earliest  infancy.  Such  a  be 
lief  under  such  circumstances  must  have  swayed  the  judg 
ment  and  affected  the  action  of  the  justest  judge  under  the 
sun. 

Judge  Ruthven  palpably  leaned  to  the  side  of  the  prisoner. 
After  summing  up  the  evidence  for  the  prosecution  rather 
briefly  and  coldly,  he  urged  upon  the  jury  the  value  of  a 
good  name  in  the  case  of  an  accused  party ;  the  excellent 
name  of  the  accused  lady ;  the  unreliability  of  circumstan 
tial  evidence  ;  the  fallibility  even  of  the  testimony  of  the 
dying,  whei^  such  testimony  was  given  in  the  excitement  of 
terror  and  the  agony  of  death ;  of  how  such  testimony, 
however  sincerely  given  and  believed  in,  had  often  been 
utterly  disproved  by  subsequent  events ;  and  finally,  that  if 
a  single  doubt,  however  slight,  remained  in  their  minds  of 
the  guilt  of  the  prisoner,  it  was  their  bounden  duty  to  give 
her  the  benefit  of  that  doubt  by  a  full  acquittal.  And  so, 
praying  Divine  Providence  to  direct  their  counsels,  he  dis 
missed  them  to  deliberate  on  their  verdict. 

The  jury  left  the  room  in  charge  of  a  sheriff's  officer. 

And  then  the  tongues  of  the  spectators  were  loosened. 
The  charge  of  the  judge  had  given  great  offence. 

"  It  amounts  to  a  positive  instruction  to  the  jury  to  acquit 
the  prisoner  ! "  fiercely  whispered  one  malcontent. 

"And  when  the  testimony  has  so  clearly  convicted  her!" 
added  another. 

"  Nothing  but  partiality  !  He  and  her  father  were  old 
cronies,"  put  in  a  third. 

"  A  partial  judge  ought  to  be  impeached  ! "  growled  a 
fourth. 

And  so  on  the  disapprobation  rumbled  through  the  court 
room  in  thunder,  not  loud,  but  deep. 

And  then  all  became  still  as  death. 

Meanwhile  the  judge  sat  calmly  on  the  bench,  the  only 


THE      VERDICT.  191 

evidence  of  his  strongly  suppressed  anxiety  was  the  extreme 
paleness  of  his  venerable  face.  What  \vas  passing  in  his 
mind  during  this  time  of  awful  stillness  and  waiting,  in 
which  the  earth  seemed  arrested  in  her  orbit,  the  sun  stopped 
in  his  course  ?  The  dread  question,  should  he,  with  more 
than  Roman  courage,  be  obliged  to  pass  sentence  of  death 
on  that  child  of  his  old  friend,  that  young  high-born,  refined, 
and  beautiful  woman,  whom  from  the  depths  of  his  soul  he 
believed  to  be  perfectly  innocent  ? 

Meanwhile  Sybil  Berners,  her  face  bloodless,  her  frame 
almost  pulseless,  breathless  as  with  suspended  animation, 
leaned  upon  her  husband's  breast  and  waited  for  the  verdict 
that  was  to  give  her  life  or  death. 

Both  pale  as  herself,  her  husband  and  her  friend  sat,  the 
first  on  her  right  side  and  the  second  on  her  left,  as  they  sit 
by  the  dying,  supporting  her  as  best  they  might,  her  hus 
band's  arm  around  her  waist,  her  friend's  hand  clasping 
hers. 

The  hour  wore  slowly  on.  The  room  grew  dark.  But 
the  judge  did  not  adjourn  the  court.  He  thought,  most 
likely,  it  was  better  for  all  concerned  to  end  the  agony  that 
night  if  possible. 

At  length  the  lamps  were  lighted,  and  their  beams  fell 
upon  the  pallid  group  of  friends,  upon  whom  the  doom  of 
death  seemed  already  to  have  descended ;  and  further  on, 
upon  the  "  sea  of  heads  "  that  now  filled  the  court-room  and 
— waited  for  the  verdict ;  for  the  crowd  had  greatly  increased 
since  the  commencement  of  the  trial. 

At  length  the  hush  of  silence  was  stirred  by  a  motion  near 
the  door  of  the  jury-room. 

Sybil's  weary  head  still  rested  on  her  husband's  bosom  ; 
he  gathered  her  in  a  closer  embrace,  that  she  might  not  look 
up  until  she  should  be  compelled  to  do  so. 

She  was  too  inexperienced  to  know  what  that  little  stir 
that  moved  the  stillness  meant. 


192       .  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

The  door  of  the  jury-room  was  thrown  open  by  the 
deputy-sheriff,  and  the  jury  filed  into  the  court,  and  stood 
in  a  group  near  the  bench. 

All  hearts  stood  still.  The  face  of  the  venerable  judge 
turned  a  shade  paler. 

The  clerk  of  arraigns  arose,  and  addressing  the  jury,  in 
quired  : 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  jury,  have  you  agreed  upon  your 
verdict?" 

"  We  have,"  solemnly  answered  the  foreman,  on  the  part 
of  his  colleagues. 

"  Prisoner,  stand  up  and  look  upon  the  jury,"  proceeded 
the  clerk,  addressing  Sybil. 

"  Rise,  my  darling,  rise  ! "  said  the  heart-broken  husband 
of  the  lady,  as  he  helped  her  to  her  feet. 

Sybil  stood  up,  still  leaning  on  his  arm. 

"  Look  on  those  men  there  ! "  whispered  Lyon  Berners. 

"Where?  Where?"  inquired  Sybil,  in  perplexity,  for 
the  court-room  was  but  dimly  lighted,  and  her  brain  was 
half  dazed  with  horror. 

"  There,  my  darling,  there ! "  muttered  Lyont  Berners, 
pointing  to  the  jury. 

"  Prisoner,  look  upon  the  jury  !  "  repeated  the  clerk. 

Sybil  turned  her  glazing  eyes  towards  the  group. 

"  Jurymen,  look  upon  the  prisoner ! "  continued  the 
clerk. 

They  looked,  and  some  among  them  must  have  seen  that 
the  doom  they  were  about  to  pronounce  in  verdict 

could  never  be  carried  into  effect. 

The  clerk  proceeded. 

"  How  say  you,  gentlemen  of  the  jury  ;  is  the  prisoner  at 
the  bar  guilty  or  not  guilty  of  the  felony  laid  to  her 
charge  ?  " 


CONDEMNED.  198 

CHAPTEE  XVI. 

CONDEMNED. 

And  in  that  deep  and  utter  agony, 

Though  then,  than  ever,  most  unfit  to  die, 

I  fell  upon  my  knees  and  prayed  for  death. — MATVBIIT. 

.    "  GUILTY  ! " 

The  word  tolled  like  a  knell  through  the  air. 

Silence  like  death  followed. 

Some  one  passed  to  the  judge  a  glass  of  water.  His  hand 
shook  so  that  he  spilled  it. 

Then  he  arose,  trembling  so  much  that  he  leaned  for 
support  on  the  stand  before  him.  Yet  he  did  his  duty — the 
last  duty  he  was  ever  to  do  on  that  bench. 

"Prisoner  at  the  bar,  stand  up." 

She  was  raised  to  her  feet,  and  supported  in  the  arms  of 
her  husband. 

"  Sybil  Berners !  What  have  you  to  say  why  sentence 
of  death  should  not  be  pronounced  againsb  you  ?  " 

Nothing.  She  had  not  understood  the  question.  She 
did  not  answer  it.  There  is  a  point  in  suffering  at  which 
the  soul  becomes  insensible  of  it.  While  waiting  for  the 
verdict,  Sybil  had  gradually  passed  into  an  abnormal  state, 
which,  without  being  a  dream,  resembled  one.  Her  spirit 
was  snatched  away  from  the  present  scene.  She  was  in  the 
village  church,  and  not  in  the  court-room.  The  Judge  on 
the  bench  was  her  old  pastor  in  his  pulpit.  He  was  preach 
ing,  she  thought;  but  something  ailed  her  head,  for  she 
could  not  understand  the  drift  of  his  discourse.  And  the 
church  was  so  crowded,  that  she  felt  half-suffocated  in  it. 

Amid  the  breathless,  pulseless  silence,  the  doom  of  death 
was  spoken. 

Not  one  word  of  it  all  did  Sybil  comprehend.     But  she 
12 


194  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

felt  as  if  the  evening  service  was  over,  and  the  people  were 
rising  to  leave  the  church. 

"  Come,  Lyon,"  she  hreathed,  with  a  deep  sigh,  "  it  is 
over  at  last,  and  oh  !  I  am  so  tired  !  Take  me  home." 

Take  her  home  !  Alas  for  the  heart-broken  husband ! 
He  would  have  given  his  own  body  to  be  burned  to  death, 
if  by  doing  so  he  could  have  taken  her  home.  But  he 
knew  that,  in  all  human  probability,  she  could  never  go 
home  again. 

"  One  moment,  darling,"  he  whispered,  and  sat  her  down 
again  to  await  the  action  of  the  sheriff. 

Mr.  Fortescue  soon  came  up. 

"  Mr.  Berners,"  he  said,  in  a  broken  voice,  "  I  am  an  old 
man,  and  I  had  rather  die  than  do  my  present  duty." 

"  Oh,  do  what  must  be  done,  do  it  at  once,  do  it  yourself, 
for  no  one  else  would  do  it  so  kindly,"  answered  Lyon 
Berners. 

"  You  know  where  I  must  take  her  ?  " 

"  Certainly." 

"  Then  draw  her  arm  through  your  own  and  follow  me. 
She  will  go  more  quietly  with  you  than  with  me,"  said  the 
sheriff. 

They  had  spoken  in  a  very  low  tone,  in  order  to  spare 
Sybil,  though  they  scarcely  needed  to  have  taken  the  pre 
caution  ;  for  she  was  paying  no  attention  to  anything 
that  was  passing  around  her.  She  sat  leaning  back,  with  a 
look  of  utter  weariness  and  stupor  on  her  beautiful,  pale 
face. 

He  raised  her  up,  drew  her  hand  through  his  arm,  and 
whispered : 

"  Come,  my  darling,  we  are  going  now." 

This  roused  her  a  little.  She  looked  around  for  h«r 
party,  and  saw  Beatrix  Pendleton  sitting  with  her  face 
buried  in  her  handkerchief,  as  she  had  sat  since  the  render 
ing  of  the  verdict. 


CONDEMNED.  195 

"  Look,  she  is  asleep.  I  do  n't  wonder ;  it  is  very  tire 
some,  and  I  'm  almost  asleep  myself,"  murmured  Sybil, 
wearily  gazing  on  her  friend. 

At  that  moment  Captain  Pendleton  came  up. 

"  Wake  her,  Clement,  and  bring  her  after  us.  You  will 
both  come  home  and  take  supper  with  me,"  said  Sybil,  as 
she  was  about  to  be  led  away. 

Captain  Pendleton  did  not  answer  her,  but  gazed  on  her 
as  if  his  heart  was  about  to  break. 

"  Do  n't  look  at  me  so,  Clement.  You  must  think  I  am 
sick  ;  but  I  am  not — only  tired  and  stupid.  I  hope  Tabby 
will  have  supper  ready  when  we  get  home,"  said  Sybil,  with 
a  faint  smile,  as  they  led  her  off. 

Captain  Pendleton  followed  quickly,  and  touched  Lyon 
Berners  on  the  shoulder. 

They  exchanged  glances. 

"  Oh,  Heaven  !  Is  this  so  ?  "  whispered  the  captain, 
with  a  glance  towards  Sybil. 

"  It  is  so,"  answered  Lyon  Berners. 

"  This  affliction  added  to  all  the  rest !  " 

"  It  is  better,  much  better  thus.  She  does  not  suffer 
now.  Thank  Heaven  for  this  veil  of  insanity  drawn 
between  her  and  the  horrors  to  come  !  Pray  heaven  that 
she  may  never  come  to  her  senses  while  she  lives  in  this 
world,"  muttered  Lyon  Berners. 

Captain  Pendleton  stepped  back  and  gave  his  sister  his 
arm.  v 

"  You  will  go  with  her  to  the  prison  ?  "  he  inquired. 

"  Yes,  and  stay  with  her  there,  if  I  may  be  permitted," 
answered  Beatrix,  who  was  weeping  bitterly. 

"My  dear,  my  noble  sister!  how  I  admire  and  thank 
you  !  "  fervently  exclaimed  Clement  Pendleton,  as  he  led  her 
after  Sybil. 

A  storm  had  been  gathering  all  the  afternoon.  It  had 
not  been  noticed  by  the  people,  whose  attention  had  been 


196  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

swallowed  up  in  the  absorbing  interest  of  the  trial.  But 
now,  as  they  reached  the  open  doors,  the  storm  burst  in 
thunder  on  the  air,  and  the  rain  fell  in  torrents. 

Many  of  the  people  retreated  into  the  court-room  to  wait 
until  the  weather  should  be  clear,  or  they  should  be  able  to 
procure  umbrellas. 

But  our  unhappy  party  went  boldly  out  into  the  rain. 

Sybil's  carriage  had  been  waiting,  as  o,n  the  preceding 
evening,  to  take  her  home.  It  was  to  be  employed  now  to 
take  her  somewhere  else. 

"  I  am  glad  of-  this  storm,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  after  he 
had  put  his  wife  into  her  seat,  and  while  he  was  holding 
the  door  open  for  Beatrix,  whom  her  brother  had  just  led 
up.  "  I  am  very  glad  of  this  storm." 

"  Why  ?  "  inquired  Captain  Pendleton. 

"  Because  it  will  enable  me  to  humor  the  delusion  of  my 
poor  Sybil." 

"  How  ?  " 

"  By  persuading  her  that  the  storm  makes  it  necessary  for 
us  to  stop  at  the  house  of  an  acquaintance,"  hastily 
explained  Lyon  Berners,  as  he  put  Beatrix  into  the  seat 
next  Sybil. 

Then  he  took  the  third  seat  and  Mr.  Fortescue,  as  the 
custodian  of  Sybil,  took  the  fourth. 

Captain  Pendleton  mounted  the  box  beside  the  coach 
man,  who  had  received  his  directions  where  to  drive,  but 
who  could  scarcely  see  his  way,  for  weeping. 

The  storm  came  down  in  fury.  The  lightning  glared, 
the  thunder  rolled  ;  the  rain  swept  the  mountain  sides  like 
a  flood. 

"We  shall  never  be  able  to  reach  Black  Hall  to-night, 
my  darling.  We  must  stop  at  some  house,"  said  Lyon 
Berners,  artfully. 

"  Yes  ?  that 's  bad,"  answered  his  wife,  who  with  an  evi 
dent  effort  roused  herself  to  reply,  and  then  sank  back  into 


CONDEMNED.  197 

her  seat,  in  an  attitude  of  weariness,  and  began  slowly  to 
pick  at  the  fringe  of  her  parasol,  in  an  absent-minded,  quiet 
manner. 

The  county  prison  was  at  the  lower  end  of  the  village,  at 
the  junction  of  the  Black  river  and  Bird  creek.  It  was  a 
plain,  rude  structure,  built  of  the  iron-gray  stone  dug  from 
the  quarries  of  the  Black  mountain.  It  did  not  look  like  a 
prison.  But  for  the  grated  windows  it  might  have  been 
taken  for  a  commodious  country  house.  And  but  for  its 
well-cultivated  grounds  and  stone  fence,  it  might  have  been 
taken  for  a  store-house.  It  comprised  within  its  four  walla 
the  home  of  the  warden  and  his  family,  as  well  as  the  lodg 
ings  for  the  turnkeys,  and  the  cells  of  the  prisoners. 

Old  Father  Martin,  the  warden,  found  his  office  almost  a 
sinecure.  There  were  never  many  inmates  of  the  prison,  at 
any  period.  And  sometimes  for  months  together  it  would 
be  quite  vacant,  so  that  in  rainy  weather  its  corridors  and 
cells  would  be  the  play- ground  of  the  warden's  grandchil 
dren. 

Now  however,  there  were  some  ten  or  twelve  petty  offend 
ers  confined  there,  who  were  waiting  trial  for  such  compar 
atively  small  offences  as  disorderly  conduct,  assault,  etc. 

Sybil  had  never  in  her  life  seen  even  the  outside  of  this 
prison. 

So  when  the  carriage  drew  up  before  the  outer  gate,  and 
Mr.  Berners  alighted  and  handed  her  out,  and  said  that  they 
would  be  obliged  to  stop  here  at  Mr.  Martin's  until  the 
storm  should  be  over,  she  silently  acquiesced,  and  permitted 
herself  to  be  led,  under  the  shelter  of  the  sheriff's  umbrella, 
up  to  the  door  of  the  building. 

At  the  sheriff's  ring,  it  was  opened  by  the  turnkey  in 
attendance. 

The  sheriff  immediately  led  his  prisoner  into  the  warden's 
office. 

They  were  followed  by  Mr.  Beruers  and  the  two  Pendle- 
tops. 


198 

"I  was  expecting  of  this  here,"  said  the  warden,  as  he 
drew  forward  a  chair  for  the  lady. 

Sybil  sank  into  it,  weary,  stupefied,  apathetic,  and  utterly 
unconscious  of  her  real  situation. 

Beatrix  Pendleton  sat  down  by  her  side  and  took  her 
hand.  Lyon  Berners  hung  over  the  back  of  her  chair.  The 
little  Skye  terrier,  who  had  followed  the  party,  jumped  upon 
her  lap  and  coiled  itself  up  there.  Sybil  noticed  no  one,  but 
sat  curiously  contemplating  the  tips  of  her  gloved  fingers. 

Meanwhile  the  sheriff  and  the  warden  went  off  to  a  writ 
ing  desk  that  stood  in  one  corner  of  the  office,  and  where  the 
sheriff  formally  delivered  up  his  charge  into  the  keeping  of 
the  warden. 

"  You  will  find  some  decent  place  to  put  her  in,  I  hope, 
Martin.  You  will  extend  to  her  every  indulgence  consis 
tent  with  her  safe  custody,"  said  the  sheriff,  when  the  busi 
ness  was  concluded. 

The  old  warden  scratched  his  gray  head,  reflected  for  a 
minute,  and  then  said: 

•'  The  cells  is  miserable,  which  I  have  represented  the 
same  to  their  worships  time  and  again,  to  no  purpose.  But 
if  you  '11  take  the  responsibility,  and  back  me  up  into  doing 
of  it,  I  can  lock  her  up  in  my  daughter's  bedroom,  where 
she  will  be  safe  enough  for  one  night ;  and  to-morrow  we 
can  have  a  cell  fixed  up,  if  her  friends  will  go  to  the  ex 
pense." 

"  Certainly,  do  all  that ;  and  if  you  should  be  as  kind  and 
considerate  of  her  as  may  be  consistent  with  your  duty,  her 
friends  will  be  sure  to  reward  you  handsomely,"  answered 
Mr.  Fortescue. 

"  Well,  I'd  do  that  any  way,  1  think,  for  any  poor  woman 
in  such  a  depth  of  trouble,  reward  or  no  reward/'  replied  the 
kind-hearted  warden. 

The  two  men  then  went  up  to  the  young  prisoner. 

"  I  will  take  you  up  to  your  room  now,  ma'am,  if  you 
please,"  said  the  warden. 


CONDEMNED.  199 

This  aroused  Sybil.     She  looked  up  suddenly  and  said : 

"  I  am  afraid  we  are  putting  you  to  much  inconvenience 
Mr.— Mr.— " 

"  Martin,"  added  the  sheriff. 

"  — Mr.  Martin ;  but  the  suddenness  of  this  thunder 
storm,  you  know.  And  we  were  all  at  church,  and — " 

She  lost  the  connection  of  her  ideas,  ceased  to  speak,  put 
her  hand  to  her  forehead  in  perplexity  for  a  moment,  and 
then  relapsed  into  apathetic  reverie. 

"  Good  gracious  ! "  exclaimed  the  old  warden,  in  dismay. 
"  Why,  she's  a  losing  of  her  mind,  an't  she  ?  " 

"  Yes,  thank  Heaven ! "  answered  Sybil's  husband  ear 
nestly. 

"  But — but — in  such  a  case  they  will  never  carry  the 
sentence  out  ?  "  inquired  the  warden,  in  an  eager  whisper. 

"  Yes,  they  will ;  but  she  will  never  know  what  hurts 
her,"  grimly  replied  Captain  Pendleton. 

The  old  warden  sighed.  And  then  he  warned  the  visitors 
that  it  was  time  for  them  to  go,  as  he  wanted  to  lock  up  the 
prison  for  the  night. 

"  Is  it  not  possible  that  I  remain  with  my  wife  to-night  ? 
You  see  her  condition,"  said  Lyon  Berners,  appealing  to  the 
sheriff  and  the  warden,  and  pointing  to  poor  Sybil,  whose 
wildly  dilated  eyes  were  fixed  upon  vacancy,  while  her 
fingers  idly  played  with  the  gray  curls  of  the  little  Skye 
terrier  on  her  lap. 

"  Mr.  Berners,  my  heart  bleeds  at  refusing  you  anything 
in  this  hour  of  bitter  sorrow  ;  but — "  began  the  sheriff. 

"  I  see !  I  see !  You  cannot  grant  my  request !  I 
should  have  known  it,  and  refrained  from  asking,"  inter 
rupted  Lyon  Berners. 

At  this  point  Beatrix  Pendleton,  who  had  been  sitting 
beside  Sybil,  deliberately  took  off  her  gloves,  bonnet,  and 
lace  shawl,  and  laid  them  on  a  table  near,  saying  quietly  : 

"  I  shall  stay  with  my  friend.     Mr.  Martin,  I  do  n't  think 


200  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

you  will  turn  me  out  in  the  storm  to-night.  And,  Mr. 
Sheriff,  I  know  that  women-friends  are  often  permitted  to 
be  in  the  cell  with  women  prisoners." 

"  Miss  Pendleton,"  said  the  sheriff,  before  the  warden 
could  speak,  "  there  is  not  the  slightest  objection  to  your  re 
maining  with  your  friend,  if  you  please  to  do  so.  Women 
in  her  sad  position  are  always  allowed  a  female  companion 
in  the  cell.  It  is  usually,  however,  a  female  warder." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Fortescue !  I  will  be  Sybil's  warder, 
or  her  fellow-prisoner,  as  you  please,  that  is,  with  Mr.  Mar 
tin's  consent.  He  has  not  spoken  yet,"  said  Beatrix,  ap 
pealing  to  the  warden. 

"  My  dear  young  lady,  I  would  no  more  turn  }TOU  out  in 
the  storm,  as  you  call  it,  then  I  would  turn  my  own  daugh 
ter  out.  Of  course  you  will  stay  if  you  please ,  though, 
bless  my  heart,  the  trouble  is  usually  to  keep  people  here, 
not  to  send  them  away.  They  come  unwillingly  enough. 
They  go  away  gladly,"  said  the  old  man. 

"  My  dear  Beatrix,  you  do  well !  you  do  nobly ! "  whis 
pered  her  brother,  pressing  her  hand. 

"  Miss  Pendleton,  how  shall  I  thank  you  ?  May  the 
Lord,  who  makes  up  all  our  shortcomings,  reward  you  infi 
nitely  ! "  said  Lyon  Berners,  fervently  pressing  her  hand. 

"I  think  we  had  better  end  this  interview  now,"  whis 
pered  tha  sheriff.  |. 

Lyon  Berners  turned  to  look  at  his  wife.  She  was  still 
sitting  in  the  same  dreamy,  abstracted,  unconscious 
manner. 

"  Sybil,  my  darling,  good-night,"  he  said,  stooping  and 
kissing  her. 

"  Why,"  she  exclaimed,  with  a  nervous  start,  *'  where  are 
you  going?" 

"  Listen,  dear,"  said  Lyon,  gently.  "  Mr.  Martin  has  got 
but  one  spare  room,  and  that  must  be  appropriated  to  you 
and  Beatrix.  Clement  and  myself  will  have  to  find  ac 
commodations  somewhere  in  the  village." 


CONDEMNED.  201 

"  Oh,"  she  said.  And  then,  "  Yes."  And  so  she  re 
lapsed  into  apathy. 

Lyon  Berners  kissed  her,  and  turned  away  to  conceal 
the  tears  that  rushed  to  his  eyes. 

Captain  Pendleton  pressed  her  hand  in  silence.  And 
then  they  both  took  leave  of  Miss  Pendleton,  and  went 
away  with  the  sheriff. 

Sybil  and  Beatrix  were  left  alone  with  a  warden  in  the" 
office. 

Mr.  Martin  had  been  the  overseer  of  Pendleton  Park  in 
old  Mr.  Pendleton's  time  ;  and  he  owed  his  present  position 
as  warden  of  the  county  prison  mainly  to  the  influence  of 
Captain  Pendleton.  So  that  he  was  well  acquainted  with 
Miss  Pendleton,  whom  he  had  every  grateful  reason  for 
serving. 

He  came  to  her  now,  saying  apologetically  : 

"  I  am  sorry  I  can 't  offer  my  old  emplo3rer's  daughter 
better  accommodation ;  but  I  will  give  her  the  best  room  in 
the  house." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Martin  ;  but  I  wish  to  stay  in  the  cell 
with  my  friend,"  answered  Beatrix. 

"  My  dear  young  lady,  I  thought  you  understood  that 
you  were  to  stay  with  her,  but  not  in  a  cell ;  I  thought  you 
knew  that  you  were  to  occupy  a  room  together.  But  oh  ! 
now  I  recollect,  it  was  only  with  the  sheriff  that  I  talked 
of  it,"  explained  the  old  man ;  and  as  he  spoke  the  door 
opened,  and  a  middle-aged  woman  appeared,  and  said : 

"  Father,  the  room  is  ready." 

"  Come,  then,  Miss  Pendleton,  follow  us,"  said  the  war 
den,  as  he  took  Sybil's  hand,  drew  it  under  his  arm,  and 
walked  on  before. 

He  led  them  up  a  flight  of  stairs  to  a  good-sized  and 
neatly  furnished  bed-chamber,  with  nothing  about  it  to  re 
mind  its  inmates  that  they  were  in  a  prison. 

Here  the  warden,  after  seeing   that  the  windows  were 


202  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

carefully  secured,  left  the  friends  together,  taking  the  pre 
caution  to  double  lock  and  bolt  the  door  upon  them. 

Beatrix  turned  to  look  at  her  companion.  Sybil  was 
sitting  twirling  her  fingers,  and  gazing  down  on  the  little 
dog  that  lay  upon  her  lap. 

"  Come,  darling ! "  said  Beatrix,  tenderly,  "  let  me  help 
you  to  undress.  That  bed  looks  clean  and  comfortable. 
You  must  lie  down  on  it  and  go  to  sleep." 

Sybil  made  no  answer,  and  no  resistance.  Beatrix  un 
dressed  her,  and  then  remembered  that  they  had  no  per 
sonal  conveniences  for  the  night  whatever,  neither  bed 
gowns  nor  combs  nor  brushes  ;  but  the  weather  was  warm, 
and  so  some  of  these  necessaries  might  well  be  dispensed 
with  until  the  morning. 

She  led  Sybil  to  the  bed,  and  urged  her  to  lie  down.  But 
the  force  of  habit  was  omnipotent;  and  in  spite  of  her 
waning  sanity,  Sybil  suddenly  recollected  a  duty  never 
omitted,  and  said : 

"  Let  me  say  my  prayers  first." 

So  she  knelt  down. 

Beatrix  Pendleton  waited  and  watched  for  some  time,  for 
so  long  a  time,  at  last,  that  she  suspected  Sybil  had  fallen 
asleep.  She  went  and  looked  at  her  attentively,  and  then 
called  her  by  name,  and  touched  her,  and  so  finally  discov 
ered  that  she  had,  in  the  midst  of  her  prayers,  relapsed  into 
that  fearful  lethargy  that  was  undermining  her  reason. 

"  Come,  Sybil,  dear,  get  into  bed,"  said  Beatrix,  taking 
her  hand  and  lifting  her  up. 

"  Yes,"  said  the  docile  creature,  and  immediately  did  as 
her  friend  directed  her. 

There  was  no  surer  or  sadder  symptoms  in  Sybil's  insan 
ity,  than  the  perfect  docility  of  her  who  had  once  been  so 
difficult  to  manage. 

She  went  quietly  to  bed. 

Beatrix  prepared  to  follow  her. 


THE     MERCIFUL     INSANITT.  203 

But  Miss  Pendleton  was  faint  from  long  fasting.  Neith 
er  she  nor  Sybil  had  tasted  anything  since  their  luncheon 
at  two  o'clock  that  day,  when  the  court  had  taken  a  recess. 
They  had  reached  the  prison  sometime  after  supper  bad 
been  served  ;  and  in  the  awful  crisis  of  Sybil's  fate,  no  one 
had  thought  of  food.  Sybil  did  not  seem  to  require  it ;  she 
lay  in  a  quiet  lethargy,  like  death.  But  Beatrix  was  half- 
famished  when  she  went  to  bed. 

Her  hunger,  however,  was  soon  forgotten  in  the  great 
anxiety  of  her  mind;  and  the  sharpest  point  of  it  was 
this : 

What  effect  would  the  night's  repose  have  on  Sybil's 
st-ate  ?  Would  it  bring  back  her  lost  senses,  and  with 
them  the  consciousness  of  her  awful  condition  ?  Beatrix 
prayed  that  it  might  not — prayed  that  the  shield  of  insan 
ity  might  still  cover  her  from  the  surrounding  and  impend 
ing  horrors  of  her  position. 

At  length  both  the  friends  fell  asleep,  and  slept  until 
nearly  nine  o'clock  the  next  morning. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE   MERCIFUL   INSANITY. 

Every  sense 

Had  been  o'erstrung  by  pang*  intense. 
And  each  frail  fibre  of  her  brain,  . 
(As  bowstrings  when,  relaxed  by  rain, 
The  erring  arrow  launch  aside,) 
Sent  forth  her  thoughts  all  wild  and  wide. — BYBOS. 

THEY  were  awakened  by  the  drawing  of  bolts  and  turn 
ing  of  locks  outside  their  door,  and  by  the  voice  of  the  war 
den,  saying : 

"  Go  in,  Kitty,  and  see  if  they  are  up.  I  will  stay  out 
side  and  guard  the  door." 


204  TRIED      FOR      HER      LIFE. 

And  then  the  same  middle-aged  widow  whom  they  had 
eeen  on  the  previous  night  entered  the  room. 

Beatrix  being  fully  awakened,  turned  anxiously  to  look 
at  her  friend. 

Sybil  was  lying  also  wide  awake,  but  very  quiet. 

"  What  sort  of  a  place  is  this,  Beatrix  ?  "  she  inquired, 
and  then  immediately  relapsed  into  lethargy,  as  if  she  had 
forgotten  her  question. 

"  Thank  Heaven  ! "  fervently  exclaimed  Sybil's  friend, 
"  she  is  still  shielded." 

"  Which  of  you  two  ladies  is  in  for  it  ? "  inquired  the 
warden's  daughter,  coming  forward. 

u  We  are  both  '  in  for  it,' "  answered  Beatrix,  a  little 
scornfully,  "  and  one  of  us  is  about  as  guilty  as  the  other." 

"  Oh,  I  did  n't  know  that,"  muttered  the  woman,  who 
took  the  lady's  words  in  good  faith.  "  I  d'^  n't  know  there 
was  more  than  one  concerned ;  but  what  I  meant  to  ask 
was,  which  is  Mrs.  Berners  ?  Because  there  is  a  trunk 
come  for  her,  which  father  thinks  it  contains  clothes  and 
other  necessaries  that  she  may  need  at  once." 

"  Very  likely.  Let  your  father  push  it  through  the  door, 
and  I  will  see  to  its  contents.  And  oh  !  for  Heaven's  sake, 
my  good  woman,  let  us  have  some  breakfast  as  soon  as  pos 
sible,"  entreated  Miss  Pendleton. 

The  woman  promised  to  comply  with  her  request,  and 
left  the  room. 

The  trunk  was  pushed  in,  and  the  door  closed,  locked, 
and  bolted  again. 

Beatrix  went  to  examine  the  consignment.  There  was  a 
letter  directed  to  Mrs.  Berners,  unsealed  and  tied  to  the 
handle,  together  with  the  key  of  the  trunk. 

Beatrix  took  both  off  and  carried  them  to  her  friend,  say 
ing  "  Here  is  the  key  of  a  box  that  has  come  for  you,  and 
here  is  a  letter,  dear  Sybil,  from  your  husband,  I  suppose ; 
will  you  read  it  ?  " 


THE      MERCIFUL     INSANITY.  205 

Sybil  opened  the  letter,  gazed  at  it  with  dreamy  eyes, 
and  followed  the  lines  with  her  glances,  but  without  taking 
in  their  meaning. 

Sad  enough  this  would  have  seemed  to  Miss  Pendleton  at 
any  other  time  ;  but  now,  every  evidence  of  her  friend's 
failing  mind  was  welcome  to  her,  and  to  all  who  loved  the 
unhappy  young  wife. 

"  Shall  I  read  it  for  you,  dear  ?  "  inquired  Beatrix,  ten 
derly,  taking  the  letter  from  her  hand. 

"  Yes,  read  it,"  answered  Sybil,  rousing  herself,  for  an 
instant,  to  some  little  interest  in  the  matter,  and  then  sink 
ing  back  into  indifference. 

Beatrix  read  aloud.  The  letter  was  only  an  earnestly 
affectionate  greeting  from  the  husband  to  the  wife,  telling 
her  that  he  had  sent  her  a  box  of  needful  articles,  and  that 
he  himself  would  come  to  see  her  as  soon  as  the  doors  should 
be  opened  to  visitors.  It  was  a  cautiously  written  letter,  so 
worded  as  to  humor  her  hallucination,  in  case  she  should  still 
imagine  herself  to  be  in  a  country  house  instead  of  the 
county  prison. 

As  Beatrix  ended  each  sentence,  she  looked  around  to  see 
if  Sybil  was  listening. 

Ah  !  no ;  after  the  first  few  lines  had  been  read,  her  at 
tention  wandered,  and  at  the  end  of  the  note  she  astonished 
the  reader,  by  saying  : 

"  I  am  very  thirsty,  Beatrix." 

"  Then,  dear,  let  me  help  you  to  rise  and  dress ;  and  you 
shall  have  some  tea.  They  are  rough  people  we  are  stop 
ping  with,  so  I  requested  them  to  bring  our  breakfast  up 
here,"  said  Miss  Pendleton,  artfully,  and  laying  aside  the 
note. 

Sybil  submitted  to  the  services  of  her  friend.  And  then 
for  the  first  time  Beatrix  noticed  that  in  this  victim's  caso 
physical  weakness  was  now  added  to  mental  infirmity. 
Body  and  mind  were  both  failing  together.  "  Well,  so 
best,"  thought  Sybil's  true  friend. 


206  TRIED     FOR     HKK     LIFE. 

By  the  time  they  were  both  dressed,  there  was  another 
sound  of  turning  locks  and  drawing  bolts,  and  then  the 
warden's  daughter-brought  in  the  tray  of  breakfast,  while 
the  warden  himself  stood  outside  on  guard. 

Notwithstanding  the  awful  situation,  both  these  young 
women  were  able  to  take  a  little  breakfast — poor  Sybil  be 
cause  she  was  quite  insensible  of  the  horrors  of  her  position, 
and  Miss  Pendleton  because,  with  all  her  sorrowful  sympa 
thy  for  her  companion,  she  had  the  appetite  of  a  healthy 
young  woman  who  had  been  fasting  some  eighteen  hours. 

Soon  after  the  breakfast  was  over  and  the  service  cleared 
away,  Mr.  Berners  came.  Again  bolts  and  bars  were 
drawn,  and  the  husband  was  ushered  in  by  the  warden  to 
see  his  wife. 

Lyon  Berners  shook  hands  with  Beatrix  Pendleton,  and 
then  passed  at  once  to  Sybil,  who  sat  in  a  state  of  reverie 
on  the  side  of  her  bed. 

"  You  have  come  for  me  at  last,  Lyon  ? "  she  said. 
"  The  people  here  are  very  kind,  but  I  am  very  glad  you 
have  come,  for  I  want  to  go  home." 

"  Dear  Sybil,"  he  replied,  embracing  her,  and  humoring 
her  delusion.  "  You  are  not  well  enough  to  go  home  yet ; 
you  must  stay  here  a  little  longer." 

"  Yes,"  she  said,  looking  up  for  a  moment,  and  then 
relapsing  into  silence  and  reverie. 

Mr.  Berners  exchanged  a  glance  with  Miss  Pendleton. 

At  the  same  moment  the  warden  put  his  head  in  at  the 
door,  and  beckoned  Mr.  Berners  to  come  out  into  the 
passage. 

"  Well,"  inquired  the  latter,  when  he  was  outside. 

"  Well^  sir,"  said  the  warden,  "  you  know  she  must  go 
into  a  regular  cell  to-day.  I  can  't  help  it.  I  wish  I  could. 
I  pity  the  poor  lady  !  I  do  !  I  pity  her,  whether  she  did 
it  or  not !  And  I  can 't  help  that  either !  So  please  the 
Lord,  I  '11  do  all  I  can  to  comfort  her  and  her  friends,  con- 


THE      MERCIFUL     INSANITY.  207 

sistent  with  my  duty  to  the  higher  powers.  So  come  along, 
sir,  if  you  please,  and  I  Ml  show  you  a  corridor  where  there 
is  no  other  prisoner  now  confined,  and  yju  can  choose  the 
best  cell  for  her  yourself." 

Lyon  Berners  bowed  and  followed  his  conductor  across 
the  broad  passage  and  down  another  one  which  was  at 
right  angles  with  the  first.  Here  all  the  cells  were  vacant. 
The  warden  unlocked  several  for  inspection. 

The  last  cell  opened  was  at  the  north-east  angle  of  the 
building.  It  was  twice  the  size  of  the  others,  and  had, 
beside  its  door,  two  narrow  grated  windows  —  one  on  the 
north,  looking  out  upon  the  Black  river,  and  the  other  on 
the  east,  upon  Bird  creek. 

"  Here,  sir,  now,  is  a  large,  cool,  well-aired  cell,  where  we 
used  to  confine  as  many  as  a  half  a  dozen  prisoners  together, 
when  we  was  full.  But  as  you  see,  there  is  nobody  at  all 
in  all  this  corridor.  So  we  can  put  her  in  this,  and  if  you 
like  to  go  to  the  cost  of  having  it  scrubbed  and  white 
washed,  why,  I  '11  have  it  done  this  morning.  Likewise,  if 
you  would  wish  to  put  in  a  comfort  or  two,  in  way  of  furni 
ture,  there  '11  be  no  objection  to  that  neither.  There  '11  be 
no  objection  to  nothing  that  do  n't  interfere  with  her  safe 
keeping,  you  understand,  sir  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  understand  and  thank  you.  Pray,  have  every 
article  of  this  furniture  removed,  have  the  room  thoroughly 
ventilated  and  cleansed,  and  while  you  are  doing  that  I  will 
go  up  to  Black  Hall,  and  send  down  all  that  is  necessary  to 
make  this  room  decent  for  my  poor  wife.  Heaven  grant 
that  it  may  prove  her  death-room  !  "  added  the  heart-broken 
husband  to  himself. 

The  warden  promised  compliance  with  all  these  requests, 
and  then  the  two  returned  to  Sybil's  room. 

"  I  must  leave  you,  dear,  now,  for  a  few  hours,  but  I  will 
certainly  be  back  at  the  end  of  that  time,"  said  Mr.  Ber 
ners,  caressing  his  enfeebled  wife  as  he  took  leave  of  o«r 


208  TEIED     FOB     HER     LIFE. 

In  the  course  of  that  day,  the  large  north-east  cell  was 
transformed  into  as  clean  and  comfortable  a  bed-room  as 
money  and  labor  could  make  it.  The  floor  was  covered 
with  straw  matting,  the  windows  shaded  with  white  muslin 
curtains. 

Besides  the  fresh  bed  and  bedding,  there  was  a  small 
bureau,  a  washstand,  a  toilet  set,  book- table,  writing-desk, 
dressing-case,  and  work-box ;  a  guitar,  with  some  music, 
and  a  small  choice  collection  of  books. 

All  these  comforts  were  collected  there  as  much  for  Miss 
Pendleton's  sake  as  for  Sybil's. 

The  room  did  not  look  in  the  least  like  a  prison-cell,  nor 
was  there  any  legal  necessity  that  it  should. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  Sybil  and  her  devoted 
friend  were  transferred  to  the  new  quarters. 

"  What  is  this  for  ?  "  inquired  Sybil,  rousing  herself  a 
little,  when  she  found  she  was  about  to  be  removed. 

"  Oh,  you  know,  dear,  that  we  have  been  sleeping  in  the 
daughter's  room,  and  keeping  her  out  of  it,  and  now  she 
wants  her  own,  and  so  they  have  fixed  up  another  one  for 
us,"  said  Miss  Pendleton,  soothingly,  as  she  drew  her 
friend's  arm  within  her  own  and  led  her  on  after  the  warden, 
who  walked  before  them  with  a  large  bunch  of  keys  in  his 
hand. 

"  Why,  here  are  all  my  things  ! "  said  Sybil,  startled  to 
unusual  interest  by  the  sight  of  her  personal  effects  arranged 
in  the  new  cell. 

"  Yes,  dear,"  whispered  Miss  Pendleton,  as  she  put  Sybil 
gently  down  into  the  rocking-chair — "  yes,  dear.  You 
know  Lyon  fears  that  it  will  be  some  time  before  you  are 
able  to  go  home,  and  these  people  are  too  poor  to  make  you 
comfortable,  so  he  sent  these  things  for  them  to  fix  up  this 
room  for  you." 

"  Beatrix,"  said  Sybil,  putting  her  hands  up  to  her 
temples. 


THE      MERCIFUL     INSANITY.  209 

«  What  is  it,  dear  ?  " 

"  My  head  is  very  bad." 

"  Does  it  ache  ?  " 

"  No  ;  but  it  is  so  queer ;  and  I  have  had  a  horrid  dream 
— oh  !  a  horrid,  ghastly  dream  ;  but  I  can 't  recall  it." 

"  Do  n't  try,  my  darling  ;  you  took  cold  in  the  storm  last 
night,  and  you  are  not  well  now;  so  turn  your  thoughts 
away  from  your  disagreeable  dream,  and  fix  them  upon 
something  else,"  said  Beatrix  soothingly,  although  at  heart 
she  was  very  much  alarmed,  as  it  was  probable  that  the  sight 
of  her  favorite  little  effects  had  started  a  train  of  associations 
that  might  bring  her  back  to  perfect  sanity  and  to  utter 
agony. 

At  that  moment,  too,  there  was  a  diversion.  Lyon  Ber- 
ners  entered  the  cell,  bringing  in  a  basket  of  fruit  and 
flowers. 

"  From  your  own  garden  and  conservatories,  my  dear 
Sybil.  Until  you  are  well  enough  to  go  home,  you  must 
have  some  of  your  home  comforts  brought  here,"  he  said,  as 
he  set  the  elegant  basket  down  on  a  stand,  and  went  and 
embraced  her. 

"  Yes ;  thank  you  very  much,  dear  Lyon.  When  do  you 
think  I  will  be  well  enough  to  go  home  ?  "  she  asked,  and 
then,  without  giving  the  slightest  attention  to  her  husband's 
affectionate  answer,  she  dropped  at  once  into  a  deep  and 
dreamy  state  of  abstraction. 

Miss  Pendleton  beckoned  Mr.  Berners  to  come  to  her  at 
one  of  the  windows. 

"  What  is  it?  "  inquired  Lyon,  anxiously. 

"  She  came  very  near  a  consciousness  of  her  position  just 
now,  when  she  first  recognized  her  property,  but  the  peril 
passed  away.  And  now  we  must  be  very  careful  to  foster 
this  merciful  insanity  that  shields  her  from  misery.  And 
as  one  precaution,  I  wish  you  would  ask  the  warden  to  oil 
these  rusty  bolts  and  bars,  and  make  them  work  noiselessly. 
13 


210  TRIED      FOR      II  E  R      LIFE. 

She  hag  never  noticed  that  she  is  locked  and  bolted  in,  and 
I  wish  her  never  to  notice  it,  or  to  suspect  it." 

"Thanks,  a  thousand  thanks,  dear  Beatrix  !  I  will  follow 
your  suggestions,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  warmly  grasping  her 
hand. 

Then  the  warden  turned  to  the  visitor,  and  told  him  that 
the  hour  had  come  for  locking  up  the  prison  for  the  night. 

Mr.  Berners  went  back  to  his  wife  and  took  an  affection 
ate  leave  of  her. 

She  let  him  go,  with  even  less  of  opposition  than  on  the 
preceding  evening,  for  it  seemed  as  if  her  fitful  rise  towards 
sensibility  had  reacted  in  a  deeper  fall  into  apathy. 

Lyon  Berners  returned  to  his  desolate  home.  Among  all 
who  were  affected  by  the  condemnation  of  Sybil  Berners, 
there  was  none  who  suffered  such  agony  of  mind  as  that 
which  nearly  drove  her  husband  to  frenzy.  If  Sybil's  terri 
ble  trials  and  unspeakable  sorrows  had  resulted  in  a  mild  and 
merciful  insanity,  that  vailed  her  mind  from  any  knowledge 
of  the  deep  horrors  of  her  position,  Lyon's  utter  anguish  of 
spirit  had  stung  him  to  a  state  of  desperation  that  incited 
the  wildest  schemes  and  the  most  violent  remedies. 

As  he  lay  tossing  in  his  sleepless  bed  each  night,  he  felt 
tempted  to  go  and  seek  out  that  band  of  outlaws,  and  to 
bribe  them  to  the  half  of  his  fortune  to  make  a  night 
attack  upon  the  prison,  and  forcibly  rescue  his  beloved 
wife. 

There  was,  however,  a  serious  objection  to  this  plan  ;  for 
besides  its  unlawfulness  and  its  uncertainty  of  success,  it  was 
impracticable,  from  the  fact  that  no  one — not  even  the  most 
experienced  thief-catchers — had  been  able  to  find  the  lost 
clue  to  the  retreat  of  the  robbers.  Since  their  flight  from 
the  ruined  house,  four  months  previous,  they  had  never  been 
heard  of. 

Sometimes,  as  Sybil's  husband  lay  groaning  in  anguish 
on  his  pillow,  he  was  strongly  tempted  to  procure  some  drug 


THE     MERCIFUL     INSANITY.  211 

that  would  give  her  a  quick  and  easy  death,  and  save  her 
from  the  horrors  to  come. 

But  Lyon  Berners  resisted  this  dark  temptation  to  com 
mit  a  deadly  sin. 

More  frequently  still,  when  his  agony  seemed  greater 
than  he  could  bear,  he  would  feel  a  desperate  desire  to  put  a 
period  to  his  own  wretched  existence. 

But  then  came  the  devoted  spirit  that  whispered  for  her 
sake  he  must  live  and  suffer,  as  long  as  she  should  have  to 
live  and  suffer. 

All  these  dark  trials  and  temptations  tortured  Lyon  Ber 
ners  in  those  sleepless,  awful  nights  he  spent  alone  in  his 
desolate  home. 

But  in  the  morning,  when  he  would  go  and  visit  Sybil  in 
the  prison,  he  not  only  exerted  all  his  mental  powers  of  self- 
control,  but  he  called  in  the  aid  of  powerful  sedative  drugs 
to  produce  the  calmness  of  manner  with  which  he  wished  to 
meet  his  wife. 

Meanwhile,  as  the  days  passed,  Sybil  sank  deeper  and 
deeper  into  apathy. 

Her  hallucination  was  now  complete.  She  imagined  that, 
in  company  with  her  husband  and  their  friends,  she  had 
been  at  church  one  Sabbath  afternoon,  when  a  tremendous 
storm  of  thunder,  lightning,  rain,  and  wind  came  up,  and 
that  they  had  all  been  obliged  to  take  refuge  in  a  country 
house  for  the  night,  and  that  she  herself  had  been  taken  ill 
from  the  exposure,  and  had  to  remain  there  until  she  could 
get  well  enough  to  go  home.  As  the  days  passed  and  the 
hallucination  grew,  she  lost  all  count  of  time,  and  always 
thought  that  she  had  arrived  "last  Sunday,"  and  was  going 
home  "to-morrow  I" 

Miss  Pendleton  was  permitted  to  remain  with  her,  and 
Mr.  Berners  was  allowed  to  visit  her  every  day. 

So  some  weeks  had  passed,  when  one  day  a  terrible  event 
occurred. 


212  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

It  was  early  in  the  morning:  the  prison  doar-s  were  just 
opened  for  the  admission  of  visitors,  and  Lyon  Berners  had 
just  entered  the  lower  hall,  on  his  way  to  the  warden's 
office,  to  get  that  old  man  to  conduct  him  to  Sybil's  cell, 
when  he  was  overtaken  and  accosted  by  the  sheriff: 

"  On  your  way  to  your  wife,  Mr.  Berners  ?  That  is  well. 
She  will  need  you  at  this  hour,"  said  Mr.  Fortescue,  after 
the  usual  morning  greeting. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  "  inquired  Lyon  Berners  hurriedly, 
and  in  great  alarm. 

"For  H*eaven's  sake,  compose  yourself  now!  You  will 
need  all  your  self-possession,  for  her  sake,  as  well  as  for 
your  own.  Come  into  the  warden's  office  with  me.  He  also 
must  go  with  us  to  her  cell." 

In  great  distress  of  mind,  Mr.  Berners  followed  the  sheriff 
into  the  warden's  office. 

Old  Mr.  Martin,  who  was  at  his  desk,  came  to  meet  the 
visitors. 

"  One  moment,  Martin.  I  will  see  you  in  one  moment 
Just  now,  I  wish  to  speak  to  Mr.  Berners,"  said  the  sheriff, 
as  he  drew  Lyon  Berners  aside. 

"What  is  it  now?"  inquired  Sybil's  husband,  in  an 
agony  of  alarm  for  her  sake 

"  Can  you  not  surmise  ? ''  compassionately  suggested  the 
sheriff. 

"  I — Oh,  great  Heaven  ! — I  dare  not !  "  he  exclaimed, 
throwing  up  his  hands  and  clasping  his  head. 

"  You  must  know  that  the  petition  sent  up  to  the  Governor 
for  her  pardon  has  been  returned  with  an  adverse  decision." 

"  I  feared  it  !     Oh,  heaven  ! " 

"  Oh,  try  to  be  firm  !  I  must  now  tell  you  the  worst. 
The  petition  did  not  come  down  alone — "  The  speaker 
paused  an  instant,  and  then  added  gravely  and  compassion 
ately  : 

"  There  was  another  document  came  doTn  with  it — a 
document  that  I  must  read  to  her." 


THE      MERCIFUL     INSANITY.  218 

"  THE  DEATH  WARKANT  !  " 

Lj'on  Berners  uttered  these  words  with  such  a  groan  of 
anguish  and  despair  as  seemed  to  have  rent  his  soul  and  body 
asunder  as  he  reeled  and  caught  at  the  window  frame  for 
support,  and  then  dropped  into  a  chair  by  its  side. 

"Mr.  Berners,  for  her  sake!  for  heaven's  sake!  bear  up 
now  !  Martin,  a  glass  of  brandy  here  !  quick  !  " 

The  warden,  who  always  kept  a  bottle  on  his  desk,  hur 
riedly  filled  a  tumbler  half  full  of  brandy,  and  hastened  up 
with  it. 

"  Drink  it !  drink  it  all ! "  said  the  sheriff,  putting  the 
glass  into  Mr.  Berners'  hand. 

Lyon  Berners  drank  the  strong  and  fiery  spirit,  feeling  it 
no  more  than  if  it  had  been  water. 

A  few  moments  passed,  during  which  Mr.  Berners  strug 
gled  hard  for  self-control,  while  the  warden  in  a  low  voice 
inquired  : 

"  What  is  it  ?  " 

"  The  death  warrant !  " 

As  the  sheriff  whispered  these  awful  words,  the  warden 
clasped  his  hands,  saying  fervently  : 

"Now  may  the  Lord  help  them  both  !" 

Then  the  sheriff  turned  to  Mr.  Berners,  who  had  again 
sank  upon  a  chair,  and  was  still  striving  to  recover  himself, 
and  he  kindly  inquired  : 

"  Are  you  ready  now  to  go  with  us  to  her  cell  ?  She  will 
need  your  support  in  this  trying  hour." 

"  Heaven  give  me  strength  !  Yes,  I  am  ready  ! "  said 
Mr.  Berners. 

And  the  ministers  of  fate  went  to  take  the  death  warrant 
to  the  cell  of  Sybil  Berners. 


214  TRIED     FOB     HER     LIFE. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

HOW    SYBIL   RECEIVED    HER   DEATH   WARRANT. 

She  looked  on  many  a  face  with  vacant  eye, 

On  many  a  token  without  knowing  what; 
She  saw  them  watch  her  without  asking  why, 

And  recked  not  who  around  her  pillow  sat. — BTBO.V. 

THE  warden  unlocked  the  door  and  entered  the  cell,  fol 
lowed  by  the  sheriff  and  Mr.  Berners. 

Sybil  was  dressed,  but  lying  on  the  outside  of  her  bed. 

Beatrix  was  sitting  'beside  her,  engaged  in  some  light 
needle-work. 

"  She  is  very  feeble  both  in  mind  and  body  to-day,"  said 
Beatrix,  in  answer  to  an  inquiring  look  of  Mr.  Berners,  as 
she  arose  to  give  him  her  seat  by  the  bedside. 

"How  are  you  this  morning,  love?"  inquired  Mr.  Ber 
ners,  tenderly  taking  her  hand. 

"  Oh !  I  am  better !  Shall  we  go  home  to-morrow, 
Lyon?" 

"  If  it  please  Providence,  dear,"  answered  her  husband, 
putting  a  strong  constraint  upon  himself.  But  he  saw  that 
though  she  had  asked  the  question,  she  scarcely  heard  his 
answer;  her  attention  had  wandered  from  the  point,  and 
she  was  idly  pulling  the  curly-haired  ears  of  her  little  dog, 
who  lay  coiled  up  beside  her. 

Meanwhile  Mr.  Fortescue  had  shaken  hands  with  Miss 
Pendleton,  and  was  now  saying  : 

"  Beatrix,  my  child,  you  had  better  retire  from  this  scene 
for  a  few  moments." 

"  Why  ?  "  inquired  Beatrix,  looking  her  old  neighbor 
firmly  in  the  face. 

"  Because  I  have  a  very  painful  duty  to  perform,  which 
will  be  very  distressing  to  you  to  witness." 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  inquired  Miss  P,  endleton;  without  remov 
ing  her  eyes  from  his  face. 


THE     DEATH     WARRANT.  215 

The  sheriff  stooped  and  told  her  in  a  whisper. 
She  turned  pale  as  death,  caught  her  breath,  and  leaned 
for  an  instant  on  the  table  near  her.      Then,  with  a  supreme; 
effort,  she  stood  up  and  said  : 

"  You  have  known  me  from  my  childhood.  Do  you  think 
ine  such  a  dastard  as  to  desert  my  friend  in  the  hour  of  hetf 
utmost  need  ?  No,  Mr.  Fortescue ;  I  will  stand  by  Sybil 
to  the  last.  So  do  your  duty  !  Thank  Heaven,  you  cannot^ 
hurt  her  much  ! " 

"  Thank  Heaven  indeed,  if  that  is  so,  Beatrix,"  answered 
the  sheriff,  as  he  made  a  sign  to  Mr.  Berners,  and  ap 
proached  the  bed  with  the  death  warrant  in  his  hand. 

"  Sybil,  darling,"  whispered  her  agonized  husband,  "  here 
is  Mr.  Fortescue  come  to  see  you." 

"  Has  he  ?  that  is  kind,"  she  answered,  looking  curiously 
at  her  own  fingers,  and  then  forgetting  the  presence  of  her 
visitors. 

"  How  are  you,  Mrs.  Berners  ?  "  inquired  the  sheriff. 

"  I  am  better.  I  am  going  home  to-morrow,  and  then 
you  must  come  and — "  She  broke  off  suddenly,  and  began 
to  feel  about  with  her  fingers  over  the  white  counterpane. 

"  Good  Heaven  !  "  exclaimed  the  sheriff,  looking  up  into 
Mr.  Berner's  face. 

Lyon  Berners  gravely  bent  his  head. 

The  sheriff  hesitated,  as  if  uncertain  how  to  proceed. 

Mr.  Berners  came  to  his  side  and  whispered  : 

"  If  you  must  read  that  document  to  her,  be  merciful 
and  read  it  now,  when  her  mind  is  dulled  to  its  meaning." 

The  sheriff  nodded,  and  then  said : 

"  Mrs.  Berners,  I  have  something  to  read  to  you.  Can 
you  listen  ?  " 

"Yes.  Is  it  interesting?"  inquired  Sybil,  rousing  her 
self. 

Without  answering  that  last  question,  the  sheriff  pre 
pared  to  read  the  awful  instrument  of  doom.  Lyou  13er- 


216  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

ners  sat  down  on  the  side  of  the  bed,  and  drew  his  wife's 
head  upon  his  bosom. 

Miss  Pendleton  sat  pale  and  still  as  a  statue. 

The  old  warden  stood  with  his  eyes  bent  upon  the  floor. 

Sybil  roused  herself  to  listen,  and  she  heard  the  first  few 
lines  of  preamble  addressed  to  the  sheriff,  but  after  that  her 
attention  wandered  beyond  control ;  and  at  the  conclusion, 
she  slightly  smiled,  and  turning  to  her  husband,  said  : 

"  Lyon,  be  sure  to  come  early  to-morrow.  I  want  to  go 
home  in  the  cool  of  the  morning." 

"  Yes,  dear,  I  shall  be  here  very  early,"  answered  Mr. 
Berners  as  steadily  as  he  could  speak,  with  his  heart  break 
ing. 

Then  laying  her  gently  back  on  her  pillow,  he  touched 
the  sheriff  on  the  shoulder  and  beckoned  him  to  follow  to 
the  window. 

"  You  see,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  as  they  stood  side  by  side, 
looking  out. 

"I  see.  I  am  very  much  shocked.  This  should  be 
looked  into.  A  medical  examination  should  be  made. 
Another  appeal  should  be  sent  to  the  governor.  Has  Mr. 
Worth  returned  to  Washington  ?  " 

"No;  he  has  been  waiting  the  issue  of  the  petition  to 
the  governor." 

"  Then  I  advise  you  to  see  and  consult  him  without  loss 
of  time.  Do  it  now;  this  morning,"  urged  the  sheriff,  as 
he  took  up  his  hat  and  gloves  to  leave  the  cell. 

He  went  to  Sybil's  bedside  to  take  leave  of  her. 

"  Good-morning,  Mrs.  Berners,"  he  said,  holding  out  his 
hand. 

"  Good-morning,  Mr.  Fortescue.  Thanks  for  your  call. 
When  you  come  again — "  she  began  smilingly,  but  lost  the 
connection  of  her  ideas,  and  with  a  look  of  distress  and  per 
plexity  she  sent  her  fingers  straying  over  the  counterpane, 
as  if  in  search  of  something. 


THE      DEATH      WARRANT.  217 

With  a  deep  sigh  the  sheriff  left  the  cell. 

And  at  the  same  time  Lyon  Berners  quietly  kissed  his 
wife,  and  withdrew. 

Mr.  Berners  went  at  once  to  the  hotel  where  Ishmael 
Worth  lodged. 

On  inquiry  at  the  office,  he  found  that  Mr.  Worth  was  in 
his  room.  Without  waiting  to  send  up  his  name  first,  he 
desired  to  be  immediately  shown  up  to  Mr.  Worth's 
presence. 

He  found  the  young  lawyer  sitting  at  a  table,  deeply  im 
mersed  in  documents.  He  was  about  to  apologize  for  his 
unceremonious  intrusion,  when  Mr.  Worth  arose,  and  with 
grave  courtesy  and  earnest  sympathy,  informed  his  visitor 
that  he  had  already  heard,  with  deep  sorrow,  the  adverse 
decision  of  the  governor. 

Mr.  Berners  covered  his  face  with  his  hand  for  a  moment, 
and  then  sank  into  the  chair  placed  for  him  by  Mr.  Worth. 

As  soon  as  he  had  recovered  himself,  he  entered  upon  the 
subject  of  his  visit — the  insanity  of  Sybil,  and  the  use  that 
might  be  made  of  it  in  gaining  a  respite  that  should  pro 
long  her  life  for  some  months,  until  perhaps  she  might  be 
permitted  to  die  a  natural  death. 

"  Her  state,  as  you  represent  it,  gives  me  hopes  of  ob 
taining  not  only  a  respite,  but  a  full  pardon,"  said  Ishmael 
Worth,  when  Mr.  Berners  had  finished  his  account. 

"  I  scarcely  dared  to  hope  as  much  as  that,"  sighed  Mr. 
Berners. 

"  I  must  speak  now  from  the  law's  point  of  view.  You 
and  I  believe  that,  sane  or  insane,  Mrs.  Berners  never  com 
mitted  that  murder.  But  the  jury  says  she  did.  Now  if 
she  can  be  proved  to  be  insane  at  this  time,  her  present  in 
sanity  will  '  argue  a  foregone  conclusion ; '  namely,  that 
she  was  insane  at  the  time  she  is  said  to  have  committed 
the  crime ;  and  if  insane,  then  she  was  therefore  irresponsi 
ble  for  her  action,  and  unamenable  to  the  laws.  Let  this 


218  TRIED      FOR     HER      LIFE. 

be  satisfactorily  proved,  and  properly  set  before  the  gov 
ernor,  and  I  have  little  doubt  that  the  result  will  be  a  full 
pardon." 

"  You  give  me  hope,  where  I  thought  hope  was  impos 
sible.  If  we  can  only  obtain  this  pardon,  and  get  my 
dear  wife  out  of  her  horrible  position,  I  will  take  her  at 
once  to  some  foreign  country,  where,  far  from  all  these 
ghastly  associations,  she  may  live  in  peace,  and  possibly 
recover  her  reason,  and  where  she  may  have  some  little 
share  of  earthly  happiness  even  yet,"  sighed  Lyon  Ber- 
ners. 

"  And  if  it  can  be  shown  that  there  has  been  insanity  in 
her  family,  it  will  make  our  argument  much  stronger.  Has 
such  ever  been  the  case  ? "  earnestly  inquired  Ishmael 
Worth. 

"  Ah,  no !  unless  the  most  violent  passions  roused  at 
times  to  the  most  ungovernable  fury,  and  resulting  in  the 
most  heinous  deeds,  can  be  called  insanity,  there  is  none  iu 
her  family,"  said  Mr.  Berners  sadly,  shaking  his  head. 

"  That  is  also  insanity  certainly,"  said  the  philosophical 
Isnmael  Worth,  "but  scarcely  of  the  sort  that  could  be 
brought  forward  in  her  favor." 

"  Nor  is  it  the  type  of  her  present  mental  malady,  which 
is  very,  very  gentle." 

"  However,  we  have  ground  enough  to  go  upon.  Out 
case  is  very  strong.  We  must  lose  no  time.  The  first  step 
to  bo  taken  will  be  to  procure  an  order  to  have  the  lady  ex 
amined  by  physicians  competent  to  form  a  judgment,  and 
make  a  report  upon  her  condition.  Their  report  mast  go 
up  to  the  governor,  with  the  petition  for  her  pardon.  And 
now,  Mr.  Beruers,  if  you  will  go  home  and  seek  the  rest 
you  need,. and  leave  this  business  in  my  hands,  I  will  set 
about  it  immediately,"  said  Ishmael  Worth,  kindly. 

"  Thank  you  !  I  thank  you  from  my  soul !  I  will  con 
fidently  leave  her  fate  in  your  hand"  I  know  I  could  no* 


THE     DEATH      WARRANT.  219 

leave  it  in  any  better  under  heaven !  But,  tell  me,  when 
shall  I  see  you  again  ?  " 

"  To-morrow  morning,  after  your  visit  to  the  prison,  you 
can  call  here  if  you  please,  and  I  shall  be  able  to  report 
eome  progress,"  said  Mr.  Worth,  rising  from  his  chair. 

Lyon  Beruers  then  shook  hands  with  him,  and  left  the 
room. 

Not  to  go  home  and  rest,  as  he  had  been  advised ;  there 
was  no  rest  for  Sybil's  husband ;  there  could  be  none  now ; 
he  went  to  wander  around  and  around  her  prison  walls  un 
til  the  day  declined  and  the  sky  darkened,  and  then  indeed 
he  turned  his  steps  homeward,  walking  all  the  way  to 
Black  Hall,  because  in  his  mental  excitement  he  could  not 
sit  still  in  carriage  or  saddle.  There  he  passed  the  night 
in  sleeplessness  and  horror.  Imagination,  favored  by  the 
darkness,  the  stillness,  and  the  loneliness  of  the  scene,  con 
jured  up  all  the  ghastly  spectres  of  the  future,  impending 
tragedies,  and  nearly  drove  him  into  frenzy.  He  started 
up  from  his  bed  and  walked  out  into  the  summer  night 
under  the  shining  stars,  and  wandered  up  and  down  the 
wooded  banks  of  the  river  until  morning. 

Then  he  returned  to  the  house,  and  after  a  hasty  break 
fast,  which  for  him  consisted  only  of  a  cup  of  very  strong 
coffee,  he  set  out  for  Black ville. 

He  reached  the  prison  before  its  doors  were  open  to  visit 
ors,  and  he  waited  until  he  could  be  admitted.  He  found 
Sybil  placid,  peaceful,  and  unconscious  of  imprisonment  and 
deadly  peril  of  her  life,  as  she  had  ever  been.  He  spent  an 
hour  with  her,  and  then  he  went  to  the  hotel  to  see  Mr. 
Worth. 

He  found  the  young  lawyer  in  good  spirits. 

"  I  have  made  much  progress,  Mr.  Beruers.  I  succeeded 
in  procuring  the  order  for  the  medical  examination.  It  is 
appointed  for  to-morrow  at  ten  o'clock.  Dr.  Bright,  Dr. 
Hart,  and  Dr.  Wiseman  are  the  physicians  authorized  to 


220  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

make  it.  They  have  all  been  notified,  and  are  to  meet  at 
the  prison  at  the  hour  specified,"  said  Ishmael  Worth,  as  he 
shook  hands  with  his  visitor  and  offered  him  a  chair. 

Lyon  Berners  warmly  expressed  his  thanks,  and  sank 
into  the  seat. 

"  You  look  very  ill,  Mr.  Berners ;  you  look  as  if  you  had 
not  slept  for  many  nights.  That  will  not  do.  Let  me  be 
your  physician  for  once,  as  well  as  your  lawyer.  Let  me 
advise  you  to  take  opium  at  night.  You  must  sleep,  you 
see." 

"  Thanks ;  but  I  think  my  malady  beyond  the  help  of 
medicine,  Mr.  Worth,  unless  it  were  something  that  should 
send  me  into  the  eternal  sleep,"  said  Lyon  Berners,  mourn 
fully. 

"  Come,  come ;  take  courage  !  We  have  every  reason  to 
believe  that  this  medical  examination  will  result  in  such 
a  report  as,  sent  up  to  the  governor  with  the  new  petition, 
will  insure  her  release.  And  then  you  will  carry  out  your 
purpose  of  going  with  her  to  some  foreign  country.  Gay 
France,  beautiful  Italy,  classic  Greece,  good  old  England, 
are  all  before  you  where  to  choose,"  said  Ishmael  Worth, 
cheerfully. 

Then  they  spoke  of  the  three  physicians  who  were  to 
conduct  the  examination :  Dr.  Bright,  who  had  once  had 
charge  of  the  State  Insane  Asylum,  but  who  had  recently 
retired  to  his  plantation  in  this  neighborhood  ;  Dr.  Hart, 
who  was  the  oldest  and  most  skilful  practitioner  in  the 
county,  having  attended  more  families,  and  first  introduced 
more  children  to  their  friends  and  relations,  than  any  other 
man  in  the  place;  and  lastly,  Dr.  Wiseman,  the  village 
druggist,  who  had  taken  his  degree,  and  was  also  physician 
to  the  county  prison. 

"  Dr.  Hart  has  attended  Sybil's  family  for  nearly  half  a 
century  ;  he  has  known  Sybil  from  her  earliest  infancy  ;  his 
visit  will  not  alarm  her,  though,  for  that  matter,  nothing 


THE     EXAMINATION.  221 

alarms  her  now,  not  even — "  He  did  not  finish  the  sen 
tence  ;  he  could  not  bear  to  utter  the  words  that  would  have 
completed  it. 

Soon  after  he  arose  and  took  his  leave.  And  he  passed 
the  day  and  night  as  he  had  passed  the  last  and  many  pre 
vious  days  and  nights. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE   EXAMINATION. 

Alas  how  is  it  with  you  ? 
That  you  do  bend  your  eyes  on  vacancy. 
And BHAKESPEAEE. 

THE  next  morning  he  was  early  as  usual  at  the  prison, 
and  as  usual  he  had  to  wait  until  the  doors  were  opened. 

The  news  of  the  impending  medical  examination  of  the 
prisoner  had  been  conveyed  to  the  warden  on  the  preced 
ing  afternoon.  The  prisoner  and  her  companion  had  been 
notified  of  it  this  morning,  so  that  when  Lyon  Berners  was 
admitted  to  the  cell  he  found  the  place  in  perfect  order,  and 
Sybil  and  Beatrix  carefully  dressed  as  if  for  company. 

"  See !  we  are  all  ready  to  receive  our  visitors,  Lyon. 
And  oh  !  I  am  so  glad  to  be  at  home  again,  and  to  give  a 
dinner  party !  Like  old  times !  Before  we  went  on  our 
wedding  tour,  Lyon  !  " 

These  were  the  first  words  Sybil  addressed  to  her  hus 
band,  as  he  entered  the  room. 

Lyon  Berners  drew  her  to  his  bosom,  pressed  a  kiss  on 
her  lips,  and  then  signed  to  Miss  Pendleton  to  follow  him 
to  the  window. 

"  What  does  all  this  mean,  dearest  Beatrix  ?  "  he  in 
quired. 

"  If  means  that  her  insanity  is  increasing:.     She  awoke 


222  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

this  morning,  perhaps  with  some  dream  of  home  still  linger 
ing  in  her  mind  ;  at  all  events,  with  the  impression  that  she 
was  at  Black  Hall.  I  have  not  combated  the  pleasant  de 
lusion  ;  indeed  I  have  rather  fostered  it." 

"  You  were  right,  dear  friend.  You  know  of  this  in 
tended  visit  of  the  physicians  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes  ;  and  so  does  she,  only  she  fancies  that  they  are 
to  be  her  guests  at  a  dinner  party." 

As  Beatrix  thus  spoke,  there  was  a  sound  of  approaching 
footsteps  in  the  corridor,  and  the  cell  door  was  again  opened 
to  admit  Dr.  Hart. 

The  good  physician  shook  hands  with  Mr.  Berners,  who 
stood  nearest  the  door,  and  whispering  hastily  : 

"  I  wish  to  speak  with  you  apart  presently,"  he  passed 
on  to  meet  Sybil,  who,  with  the  courtesy  of  a  hostess,  was 
coming  forward  to  welcome  him. 

He  shook  hands  with  her  pleasantly,  and  inquired  after 
her  health. 

"  Oh,  thanks  !  I  am  very  well  since  I  got  home.  I  took 
cold.  Where  did  J  take  cold  ?  "  she  said,  with  an  air  of 
perplexity,  as  she  passed  her  thin  white  hand  through  her 
silken  black  tresses. 

"  You  have  been  travelling,  then  ?  "  said  the  doctor,  to 
try  her  memory. 

"  Yes  ;  travelling." 

"  And  saw  many  interesting  sights,  no  doubt?  " 

"  I — yes  ;  there  were  caves — the  Mammoth  Cave,  you 
see ;  and  ships  in  the  harbor ;  and — and — "  A  look  of 
doubt  and  pain  passed  over  her,  and  she  became  silent. 

"  And  many,  many  more  attractive  or  instructive  objects 
met  your  sight,  no  doubt  ?  " 

"Yes;  we  were  in  England  just  before  the  Conquest, 
and  I  saw  Harold  the  Saxon  and  Edith  the  Fair.  But 
'  Fair'  was  'foul '  then — so  foul  that  the  Spirit  of  Fire  con 
sumed  her  Oh  ! — " 


THE      EXAMINATION.  223 

She  paused,  and  an  expression  of  horrible  anguish  con 
vulsed  her  beautiful  face. 

"  But  you  are  at  houie  now,  my  child,"  said  the  doctor 
soothingly,  laying  his  hand  upon  her  head. 

"  Oh,  yes,"  she  answered,  with  a  sigh  of  deep  relief  as 
her  countenance  cleared  up  ;  "  at  home  now,  thank  Heaven  I 
And  oh,  it  is  so  good  to  be  at  home,  and  to  see  my  friends 
once  more.  And  then  again,  you  know — " 

Whatever  she  was  going  to  say  was  lost  in  the  ehaos  of 
her  mind.  She  sighed  wearily  enough  now,  and  relapsed 
into  profound  reverie. 

The  doctor  took  advantage  of  her  abstraction  to  leave  her 
side,  and  beckon  to  Mr.  Berners  to  follow  him  to  the 
farthest  corner  of  the  cell,  so  as  to  be  out  of  hearing  of  the 
two  ladies. 

"  What  do  you  think  of  her  case  ?  "  anxiously  inquired 
Sybil's  husband,  as  soon  as  he  found  himself  apart  with  the 
physician. 

"  She  is  deranged  of  course.  Any  child  could  tell  you 
that.  But,  Mr.  Berners,  I  called  you  apart  to  tell  you  that 
myself  and  my  colleagues,  Bright  and  Wiseman,  deter 
mined  to  visit  our  patient  singly,  and  to  make  a  separate 
examination  of  her.  Now,  for  certain  reasons,  and  among 
them,  because  I  am  a  family  practitioner,  we  all  agreed  that 
I  should  pay  her  the  first  visit.  And  now,  Mr.  Berners,  I 
must  ask  you  to  go  and  find  out  if  there  is  an  experienced 
matron  about  the  house  ;  and  if  so,  to  bring  her  here  imme 
diately." 

Lyon  Berners  bowed  and  went  out,  but  soon  returned 
with  the  warden's  widowed  daughter. 

"  Here  is  Mrs.  Mossop,  doctor,"  he  said,  introducing  the 
matron. 

How  do  you  do,  madam?  And  now,  Mr.  Berners,  I 
must  further  request  that  you  will  take  Miss  Pendleton  out 
and  leave  Mrs.  Mossop  and  myself  alone  with  our  patient/' 
said  the  doctor. 


224  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

Mr.  Berners  gave  Miss  Pendleton  his  arm  and  led  her 
from  the  room. 

One  of  the  under-turnkeys  locked  the  door  and  stood  on 
guard  before  it. 

Mr.  Berners  and  Miss  Pendleton  walked  up  and  down 
the  corridor  in  restless  anxiety. 

"My  brother  was  here  to  see  me  yesterday  afternoon, 
Lyon,"  she  said. 

But  Mr.  Berners,  absorbed  in  anxiety  for  his  wife, 
scarcely  heard  the  young  lady's  words,  and  certainly  did 
not  reply  to  them. 

But  Beatrix  had  something  else  to  say  to  him,  and  so  she 
said  it : 

"  Lyon,  if  you  should  succeed  in  getting  Sybil's  pardon, 
(pardon  for  the  crime,  she  never  committed !)  and  should 
decide  to  take  her  to  Europe,  do  you  know  what  Clement 
and  myself  have  determined  to  do  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  with  a  weary  sigh. 

"  We  have  decided  to  go  abroad  with  you  and  share  your 
fate  ;  whether  we  go  for  a  year  or  two  of  pleasant  travelling 
and  sight-seeing,  or  whether  we  go  into  perpetual  exile." 

Lyon  Berners,  who  had  been  almost  rudely  indifferent  to 
the  young  lady's  words  until  this  moment,  now  turned  and 
looked  at  her  with  astonishment,  admiration,  and  gratitude, 
all  blended  in  the  expression  of  his  fine  countenance. 

"  Beatrix  !  No  !  I  appreciate  your  magnanimity  !  And 
I  thank  you  even  as  much  as  I  wonder  at  you  !  But  you 
must  not  make  this  sacrifice  for  us,"  he  said. 

Miss  Pendleton  burst  into  tears. 

"  Oh  !  "  she  said  amid  her  sobs,  "  there  can  be  nothing  in 
the  world  so  precious  to  us  as  our  childhood's  friendships  ! 
Clement  and  I  have  played  with  Sybil  and  you  since  we  were 
able  to  go  alone  !  We  have  no  parents,  nor  sisters,  nor  broth 
ers,  to  bind  us  to  our  home.  We  have  only  our  childhood's 
friends  that  have  grown  up  with  us  —  you  and  Sybil. 


THE     EXAMINATION.  225 

Clement  will  resign  his  commission  in  the  army ;  he  does 
not  need  it,  you  know,  any  more  than  his  country  now  needs 
him ;  and  we  will  let  the  old  manor  house,  and  go  abroad 
with  you  I" 

"  But,  dear  Beatrix,  to  expatriate  yourselves  for  us  ! " 

"  Oh,  nonsense !  "  she  said,  brushing  the  bright  tears 
from  her  blooming  face.  "  You  are  trying  to  make  this  out 
an  act  of  generosity  on  our  part.  It  is  no  such  thing.  It 
is  a  piece  of  selfishness  in  us.  It  will  be  a  very  pleasant 
thing,  let  me  tell  you,  to  go  to  Europe,  and  travel  about  and 
see  all  the  old  historic  countries,  for  a  year  or  so." 

"  A  year  or  so !  Oh,  Beatrix !  it  will  not  be  a  year  or 
so,  of  pleasant  travelling !  It  will  be  the  exile  of  a  life 
time  ! " 

"  I  do  n't  believe  it !  I  have  more  faith  than  that !  I 
believe  that 

'  Ever  the  right  comes  uppermost, 
And  ever  is  justice  done ; ' 

sooner  or  later,  you  know !  And  anyhow  Clement  and  my 
self  have  resolved  to  go  abroad  with  you  and  Sybil !  And 
you  cannot  prevent  us,  Mr.  Berners  !  " 

"  I  am  very  glad  that  I  cannot ;  for  if  I  could,  Beatrix,  I 
should  feel  bound  by  conscience  to  do  it." 

"  Set  your  conscience  at  rest,  Mr.  Berners  !  It  has  nothing 
to  do  with  other  people's  deeds  !  " 

"  But,  dear  Beatrix,  you  are  reckoning  without  your  host, 
Destiny,  which  now  means  the  report  of  the  medical  exam 
iners  and  the  action  of  the  governor  upon  it !  She  may  not 
be  free  to  go  to  Europe." 

"  I  think  she  will,"   said  Beatrix,  cheerfully. 

At  that  moment  there  was  a  knock  from  the  inside  of  the 
cell. 

The  turnkey  unlocked  the  door. 

Dr.  Hart  came  out  alone,  and  the  door  waa  locked  after 
him. 

14 


226  TRIED     FOB      HER     LIFE. 

Mr,  Berners  left  the  side  of  Beatrix,  and  went  to  meet 
the  physician. 

"  Well  ?  "  inquired  Sybil's  husband. 

"  My  dear  sir,  hope  for  the  best.  She  has  yet  to  be  visited 
by  my  colleague,  Dr.  Bright,  late  of  the  State  Insane 
Asylum.  He  is,  of  course,  an  expert  in  cases  of  insanity. 
His  report  will  have  more  weight  than  mine  in  regard  to 
her  case.  But  I  tell  you  this  in  confidence.  I  ought  really 
not  to  give  any  sort  of  opinion  to  any  one  at  this  point  of 
the  investigation." 

And  with  a  friendly  shaking  of  hands  and  a  polite  bow, 
Dr.  Hart  went  below. 

A  few  minutes  passed,  and  Dr.  Bright,  who  was  a  stranger 
to  Mr.  Berners,  came  up  and  passed  to  the  door  of  the  cell, 
which  was  opened  for  him  by  the  turnkey  in  attendance. 

The  '•'  mad  doctor,"  as  he  was  popularly  called,  remained 
more  than  an  hour  shut  up  with  his  patient. 

At  length  he  came  out,  bowed  to  the  lady  and  gentleman 
that  he  saw  waiting  in  the  corridor,  and  went  down  stairs. 

Mr.  Berners  would  have  given  much  for  the  privilege  of 
questioning  the  "mad  doctor;"  but  as  such  a  privilege 
could  not  be  obtained  at  any  price,  he  was  forced  to  bear 
his  suspense  as  well  as  he  could. 

In  a  few  moments  Dr.  Bright  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  Wise 
man,  the  least  important  of  the  three  medical  examiners. 

He  saw  Mr.  Berners,  came  right  up  to  him  and  grasped 
his  two  hands  with  both  his  own,  and  with  the  tears  spring 
ing  to  his  eyes,  exclaimed : 

"  I  hope  to  heaven  our  examination  of  this  lady  may 
eventuate  in  her  release  from  captivity." 

There  was  something  in  the  delicacy  of  the  physician's 
words,  as  well  as  in  the  earnestness  of  his  manner,  that 
deeply  affected  Sj'bil's  husband.  He  pressed  the  young 
doctor's  hands  as  he  replied  : 

"I  thank   you  very  much  for  your  earnest  sympathy; 


THE     E  X  A  M  I  N  A  T  I  O  N.  227 

and  I  need  not  say  how  devoutly  I  join  in  your  prayer  that 
this  investigation  may  terminate  in  the  release  of  my  dear 
and  most  innocent  wife." 

The  physician  then  passed  into  the  cell,  which  was  open 
ed  for  his  admittance,  and  then  closed  as  before. 

A  half  hour  went  by,  and  he  came  out  again. 

"  I  do  not  know  what  conclusion  my  colleagues  have  come 
to,  Mr.  Berners ;  but  for  myself,  I  do  not  think  this  lady  is, 
or  has  been  for  some  time,  a  responsible  agent,"  he  said,  in 
passing  Sybil's  anxious  husband. 

"  You  hold  your  consultation  immediately  ?  "  inquired 
Mr.  Berners. 

"  Yes,  immediately,  in  the  warden's  private  parlor,  which 
Mr.  Martin  offered  for  our  use,"  answered  Dr.  Wiseman,  aft 
he  bowed  and  went  down  stairs. 

Mr.  Berners  and  Miss  Pendleton  were  then  permitted  to 
return  to  Sybil's  cell,  to  remain  with  her  while  waiting  the 
result  of  the  physicians'  consultation. 

They  found  Sybil  so  fatigued  from  the  visits  that  had 
been  made  her,  that  she  lay  quite  still  and  almost  stupefied 
upon  her  bed. 

Mrs.  Mossop  was  watching  by  her  side ;  but  at  the  en 
trance  of  Mr.  Berners  and  Miss  Pendleton  she  arose  and 
left  the  cell. 

Lyon  went  to  the  bedside  of  his  wife,  and  asked  how  she 
felt. 

"  Tired." 

This  was  the  only  word  she  spoke,  as  with  a  heavy  sigh 
she  turned  her  face  to  the  wall. 

Lyon  and  Beatrix  sat  with  her  all  the  afternoon,  and 
even  until  the  warden  came  to  the  door  with  the  informa 
tion  that  the  physicians  had  concluded  their  consultation, 
and  were  about  to  leave  the  prison,  and  that  Mr.  Worth 
was  below,  waiting  to  see  Mr,  Berners. 


228  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


THE   LAST    EXPEDIENT. 


'Tis  late  before 

The  brave  despair. — THOMWOS. 

LTON  then  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  his  half-con 
scious  wife,  shook  hands  with  Miss  Pendleton,  and  with  a 
heart  full  of  anxiety  went  down  stairs. 

He  met  Ishmael  Worth  coming  out  of  the  warden's 
office. 

"  The  physicians  have  gone,"  said  the  young  lawyer, 
after  greeting  Mr.  Berners — "just  gone;  but  they  have  left 
a  copy  of  their  report,  the  original  of  which  they  will  have 
to  deliver  under  oath.  That  original  document  will  have 
to  go  with  the  petition  to  the  governor,  which  I  myself  will 
take  up  to  Richmond  to-morrow." 

"  Thanks !  thanks !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Berners,  pressing 
the  young  lawyer's  hand  with  deep  emotion. 

"  And  now,  shall  we  adjourn  to  my  chambers  and  exam 
ine  this  report  ?" 

"  Yes,  if  you  please  !  But  can  you  not  give  me  some 
idea  of  its  character  ?  " 

"  It  is  favorable  to  our  views.  That  is  all  I  know..  We 
can  soon  make  ourselves  acquainted  with  the  whole  matter, 
however,"  said  Ishmael  Worth,  as  they  left  the  prison  and 
walked  rapidly  off  in  the  direction  of  the  village. 

As  soon  as  they  were  both  closeted  together  in  Mr. 
Worth's  chamber,  with  the  door  closed  and  locked  to  keep 
off  intruders,  the  young  lawyer  broke  the  seal  of  the  en 
velope,  and  they  examined  the  report  together.  . 

But  ah  1  that  report,  though  favorable  to  the  prolonga 
tion  of  Sybil's  life,  was  not  conducive  to  its  preservation. 

The  physicians  rejprted  the  imprisoned  lady  as  having 


THE     LAST     EXPEDIENT.  229 

been  carefully  examined  by  themselves  and  found  to  be  in 
sane.  But  they  gave  it  as  their  unanimous  opinion  that 
her  insanity  was  not  constitutional  or  hereditary:  that  it 
was  not  of  long  standing,  or  of  a  permanent  character  ;  that, 
in  fine,  it  was  the  effect  of  the  terrible  events  of  the  last  few 
mouths  acting  upon  a  singularly  nervous  and  excitable  or 
ganization,  rendered  even  more  susceptible  by  her  present 
condition,  which  was  that  of  pregnancy. 

At  this  word  Lyon  Berners  started,  threw  his  hands  to 
his  head,  and  uttered  a  cry  of  insupportable  anguish. 

Ishmael  Worth  laid  his  hand  soothingly,  restrainingly 
upon  him,  saying : 

"  Be  patient !  Even  this  circumstance,  sad  as  it  seems, 
may  save  her  life.  We  do  not  'cut  down  the  tree  with 
blossoms  on  it.'  This  report,  as  I  said,  must  go  up  with  the 
petition  to  the  governor.  The  petition  prays  for  her  full 
pardon  on  the  grounds  set  forth  in  this  report.  The  gov 
ernor  may  or  may  not  grant  the  full  pardon,  but  if  he  does 
not,  he  must  grant  her  a  respite  until  after  the  birth  of  her 
child.  Thus  her  life  is  sure  to  be  prolonged,  and  may, 
probably  will,  be  saved.  For  if  the  governor  does  not  par 
don  her,  still  in  the  long  interval  afforded  by  the  respite,  we 
may,  with  the  help  of  Providence,  be  able  to  discover  the 
real  criminal  in  this  case,  and  bring  him  to  justice ;  and 
thus  vindicate  her  fame,  as  well  as  save  her  life." 

"  You  give  me  hope  and  courage ;  you  always  do,"  an 
swered  Lyon  Berners,  gratefully. 

"  I  only  remind  you  of  what  you  yourself  know  to  be  facts 
and  probabilities  ;  and  would  recognize  as  such,  but  for  the 
excitement  and  confusion  of  your  mind.  And  now,  do  you 
know  what  I  mean  to  do  ?  " 

Mr.  Berners  gravely  shook  his  head. 
"  I  mean  to  leave  for  Richmond  by  to-night's  stage-coach, 
taking  with   me   the  original  attested  medical  report  and 
the  petition  for  her  pardon.     I  mean  to  travel  day  and 


230  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

BO  as  to  lay  the  documents  before  the  governor  at  the  earliest 
possible  moment.  And  as  soon  as  he  shall  have  acted  upon 
them  I  shall  leave  Richmond  for  this  place,  travelling  day 
and  night  until  I  bring  you  her  pardon  or  her  respite." 

"  How  shall  I  thank  you  ?  What  words  can  express  how 
much — "  began  Mr.  Berners,  with  emotion;  but  Ishmael 
Worth  scarcely  heard  him.  He  had  stepped  across  the  room 
and  touched  the  bell-pull. 

"Send  my  attendant  here,"  he  said  to  the  waiter  who 
appeared  at  the  door. 

A  few  moments  elapsed,  and  a  venerable  old  negro  man 
of  stately  form  and  fine  features,  with  a  snow-white  head  and 
beard,  and  dressed  quite  like  a  gentleman — a  sort  of  an  ideal 
Boman  senator  carved  in  ebony,  entered  the  room,  bowed, 
and  stood  waiting. 

"  Be  so  kind  as  to  pack  my  portmanteau,  professor.  I  go 
to  Eichmond  by  the  night's  coach." 

"  The  "  professor "  bowed  again,  and  then  respectfully 
inquired : 

"  Do  I  attend  you,  sir  ?  " 

"No,  professor.  I  must  travel  day  and  night  without 
stopping.  Such  haste  would  be  too  harassing  to  a  man  of 
your  age." 

The  old  servitor  bowed,  and  withdrew  to  obey. 

"  He,"  said  Ishmael  Worth,  pointing  affectionately  to  the 
retreating  form  of  the  professor,  "  is  not  only  my  faithful 
attendant,  but  my  oldest  and  most  esteemed  friend." 

"  He  is  happy  in  possessing  your  esteem  and  friendship, 
Mr.  Worth,  and  no  doubt  he  deserves  both,"  said  Lyon 
Berners. 

"  He  deserves  much  more,"  murmured  Ishmael  softly, 
•with  one  of  the  old,  sweet,  thoughtful  smiles  shining  in  his 
eyes. 

Then  Mr.  Berners,  who  would  have  liked  to  linger  longer 
near  this  sympathizing  friend,  who  was  working  so  zealously 


THE      LAST      EXPEDIENT.  231 

in  the  almost  hopeless  cause  of  his  imprisoned  wife,  saw  that 
the  young  lawyer  had  many  preparations  to  make  for  his 
sudden  journey,  and  but  little  time  to  make  them  in ;  and 
so  he  arose  and  shook  hands  with  Ishmael  Worth,  and  bade 
him  God-speed  in  his  humane  errand,  and  left  the  room. 

Mr.  Berners  returned  to  his  most  desolate  home  ;  took,  by 
his  physician's  advice  a  powerful  narcotic,  and  slept  the  sleep 
of  utter  oblivion,  and  waked  late  on  the  next  morning  more 
refreshed  than  he  had  felt  for  many  weeks  past. 

He  visited  his  wife  as  usual,  and  found  her  in  the  same 
quiescent  state  of  mind  and  body  and  still  utterly  unconscious 
of  her  situation,  utterly  ignorant  that  within  a  few  days  past 
the  dread  death  warrant  had  been  read  to  her,  which  doomed 
her  young  life  to  die  in  the  beautiful  month  of  June,  now  so 
near  at  hand — in  the  blooming  month  of  roses,  her  favorite 
of  all  the  twelve. 

Yes,  the  death  warrant  had  been  duly  read  to  her,  but 
not  one  word  of  it  all  had  she  understood  ;  and  that  was  all 
that  had  been  done  to  inform  her  of  her  real  situation.  If 
it  was  any  one's  duty  to  impress  the  truth  upon  her  mind, 
provided  her  mind  could  be  made  capable  of  receiving  .the 
impression,  every  one  shrunk  from  it,  and  prayed  that  to 
the  last  she  might  never  know  more  of  her  condition  than 
she  now  did. 

As  for  the  rest — the  preparation  of  her  soul  to  meet  her 
Judge — what  would  have  been  the  use  of  talking  about 
salvation  to  a  poor  young  creature  driven  to  insanity  by  the 
horrors  of  a  false  accusation  and  an  unjust  conviction  ? 

The  best  Christians,  as  well  as  her  nearest  friends,  were 
willing  to  leave  her  soul  to  the  mercy  of  Heaven. 

She  was  even  unsuspicious  that  she  was  destined  to  be  a 
mother. 

This  circumstance,  that  so  deepened  the  pathos  and  terror 
of  her  position,  also  invested  her  with  a  more  profound  and 
pathetic  interest  in  the  eyes  of  her  husband. 


232  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

Would  she  live  to  bring  forth  her  child,  even  though  the 
governor  did  spare  her  life  so  long  ?  he  asked  himself,  as 
he  gazed  fondly  on  her  pale  face  and  sunken  eyes. 

Would  the  child — perhaps  destined  to  be  born  in  the 
prison — live  to  leave  it  ?  And  then,  what  must  happen  to 
the  mother?  And  what  must  be  the  after  life  for  the 
child  ? 

And  fondly  as  he  loved,  he  earnestly  prayed  that  both 
mother  and  child  might  die  in  the  impending  travail  unless 
—unless  the  new  petition  sent  up  to  the  governor,  and 
grounded  upon  the  report  of  the  physicians,  should  get  her 
a  full  pardon. 

Four  days  of  the  keenest  anxiety  crept  slowly  by. 

There  was  no  possible  means  of  hearing  how  Ishmael 
Worth  prospered  in  his  mission  to  the  governor. 

There  were  but  two  mails  a  week  from  Richmond  to 
Blackville. 

Ishmael  Worth  would  go  and  come  with  all  possible 
speed,  for  he  must  be  his  own  messenger. 

It  was  on  the  morning  of  the  fifth  day,  since  the  young 
lawyer  departed  on  his  humane  errand. 

Lyon  Beruers  was  making  his  usual  morning  visit  to  his 
wife  in  her  cell. 

She  was  sitting  as  placidly  unconscious  of  danger  as 
usual,  in  her  harmless  hallucination,  playing  with  her  little 
dog,  which  was  coiled  up  on  her  lap. 

Beatrix  Pendleton,  who  had  scarcely  left  Sybil  for  an 
hour  since  her  imprisonment,  sat  gravely  and  quietly  near, 
engaged  as  usual  upon  some  little  trifle  of  needle-work. 

And  Lyon  Berners  sat  purposely  with  his  back  to  the 
light  to  shade  his  face,  and  hide  the  uncontrollable  agitation 
of  his  countenance,  as  he  gazed  upon  his  doomed  wife,  and 
shuddered  to  think  of  the  awful  issues  at  stake  in  the  suc 
cess  or  failure  of  Ishmael  Worth's  mission. 

Should  this  second  petition  be  more  fortunate  than  the  first 


THE      LAST      EXPEDIENT.  233 

one,  and  should  Mr.  Worth  succeed  in  obtaining  for  her  a 
full  pardon,  Sybil  might  go  forth  this  very  day  a  free 
woman,  and  her  husband  might  take  her  far  away  from 
these  scenes  of  suffering  to  some  fair  foreign  land,  where 
she  might  recover  her  reason  and  her  peace  of  mind. 

Should  Mr.  Worth  fail  in  obtaining  a  full  pardon,  bu^r 
succeed  in  gaining  a  respite,  Sybil  would  be  permitted  to 
live,  if  she  could,  long  enough  to  bring  forth  her  child,  and 
then  her  own  forfeited  life  must  be  yielded  up. 

But  should  her  advocate  fail  also  to  obtain  the  respite, 
Sybil  had  just  one  week  to  live ;  for  on  the  seventh  day 
from  this,  she  was  ordered  for  death ! 

And  she,  shielded  by  a  mild  and  merciful  insanity,  was 
so  peacefully  unconscious  of  impending  doom  ! 

But  to-day  he  knew  that  he  must  hear  the  best  or  the 
worst  that  could  befall  her ;  for  to-day  the  Richmond  coach 
would  arrive,  and  would  bring  her  zealous  advocate,  Ishmael 
Worth. 

And  even  while  he  sat  thus  gazing  with  his  grief-dimmed 
eyes  upon  his  fated  young  wife,  the  sound  of  approaching 
footsteps  was  heard ;  the  cell  door  was  unlocked,  and  the 
warden  presented  himself,  saying  in  a  low  tone : 

"  Mr.  Worth  has  just  arrived,  and  wishes  to  see  you 
down  stairs  in  my  office,  sir." 

Before  the  warden  had  finished  his  sentence,  Lyon  Ber- 
ners  had  started  up  and  sprung  past  him. 

He  hurried  down  the  stairs,  threw  open  the  door  of  the 
warden's  office  and  confronted  Ishmael  Worth,  who,  pale, 
weary,  travel-stained,  and  troubled,  stood  before  him. 

"  For  Heaven's  sake  !  "  cried  Sybil's  husband,  breath 
lessly  —  "  speak !  what  news  ?  Is  it  to  be  death,  —  or 
— LIFE  ! " 


234  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
IBIIMAEL  WORTH'S  NEWS. 

Even  through  the  hollow  eye  of  Death 
I  spy  Life  peering;  but  I  dare  not  say 
How  near  the  tidings  of  our  comfort  is.— SHAXE»MUBM. 

"  LIFE,  or  death  ?  "  cried  Lyon  Berners,  pallid  with  in 
tense  anxiety. 

"  It  is  a  respite,"  answered  Ishmael  Worth,  gravely  and 
kindly,  taking  the  arm  of  the  agitated  man  and  gently 
leading  him  towards  a  chair. 

"  Only  that ! "  groaned  Lyon  Berners,  as  he  dropped 
heavily  into  the  offered  seat. 

"  But  that  is  much,"  soothingly  hegan  Ishmael  Worth, 
"  very  much,  for  it  is  an  earnest  of — " 

"  How  long  ? "  moaned  Mr.  Berners,  interrupting  his 
companion. 

"  During  the  pleasure  of  the  governor.  No  new  day  has 
teen  appointed  for  her — death  !  "  added  the  young  lawyer, 
in  a  low  voice  and  after  a  short  pause,  for  he  could  not  bear 
to  utter  the  other  awful  word  of  doom. 

"  Go  on  1 "  said  Sybil's  husband,  still  violently  shaken  by 
his  emotions. 

Ishmael  Worth  arose  from  the  seat  into  which  he  had 
sunk  for  a  moment,  and  he  laid  his  hand  on  the  shoulder 
of  the  suffering  man  and  said : 

"  Try  to  calm  the  perturbation  of  your  spirits,  Mr.  Ber 
ners,  so  that  you  can  hear  and  comprehend  what  I  am  about 
to  communicate  to  you." 

"I  will." 

"  Listen,  then.  You  are  aware  that  the  respite,  for  an 
indefinite  period,  of  any  condemned  person,  is  almost 
always  the  prelude  to  the  full  pardon." 

«  Yes." 


THE     ISHMAEL     WOKTH's     NEWS.         235 

"  Mrs.  Berners  has  a  respite  for  an  indefinite  period.  I 
consider  that  respite  an  earnest  of  her  full  pardon.  You 
do  not  doubt  my  sincerity  in  saying  this  ?  " 

«  No." 

"  Listen  yet  longer.  As  no  new  day  has  been  set  for  her 
death,  so  I  think  no  further  action  will  be  taken  in  the  mat 
ter  until  after  the  birth  of  her  child — and  some  consider 
able  time  after  that  event.  And  then,  I  .think,  a  full  par 
don  will  be  granted  her." 

"  '  Hope  deferred  ! '  "  began  Mr.  Berners,  with  a  deep 
sigh. 

"  Yes,  I  know,"  said  Ishmael  Worth,  with  a  grave  smile  ; 
"  but  hear  me  out." 

"  I  am  listening." 

"  I  had  several  interviews  with  the  governor,  and  though 
he  was  very  reserved  in  communicating  his  sentiments,  I 
perceived  that  he  really  wished  to  pardon  his  petitioner." 

"  Then  why,  in  the  name  of  Heaven,  did  he  not  do  so  ?  " 
demanded  Mr.  Berners,  starting  up  from  his  seat. 

"  Be  calm  and  I  will  tell  you,"  said  Ishmael  Worth,  gen 
tly  drawing  him  down  into  the  chair. 

Again  Lyon  Berners  dropped  into  it  with  a  deep  groan. 

"If  it  were  not  that  trouble  has  so  disturbed  the  clear 
ness  of  your  mind,  you  would  yourself  see  that  men  in 
authority  cannot  do  these  things  so  suddenly.  I  repeat 
that  I  perceived  that  the  governor  would  gladly  have 
granted  the  pardon  immediately  upon  the  presentation  of 
the  petition,  founded  as  it  was  upon  such  strong  grounds, 
and  he  was  only  deterred  from  doing  so  by  the  fact  that  at 
the  present  point  of  time  such  a  pardon  would  be  a  very 
unpopular  measure." 

"  That  a  lady's  innocent  life  should  fall  a  sacrifice  to  a 
politician's  selfish  love  of  popularity  !  "  bitterly  commented 
Lyon  Berners. 

Ishmael  Worth  was  silent  for  a  moment,  because  he  felt 


236  TRIED      FOR     HER     LIFE. 

the  injustice  of  Lyon  Berners'  remarks,  yet  did  not  wish  to 
rebuke  them,  and  then  he  said,  deprecatiugly : 

"  I  do  not  think  the  governor's  course  here  was  directed 
by  any  selfish  policy.  He  feels  that  he  must  be  guided  in 
a  great  degree  by  the  will  of  the  people,  who  are  now  most 
unjustly  certainly,  but  most  violently  set  against  Mrs.  Ber- 
ners.  So  he  sends  down  the  respite,  to  which,  under  the 
peculiar  circumstances,  no  one  can  object,  and  sends  it  as  a 
prelude  to  the  pardon  which  I  believe  will  certainly  follow 
when  the  popular  excitement  has  had  time  to  subside." 

"  Heaven  grant  it  may  be  so,"  fervently  prayed  Lyon 
Berners. 

"  And  now,"  said  Ishmael  Worth,  drawing  from  his 
breast  pocket  a  sealed  parcel  directed  to  the  sheriff  of  the 
county,  "  I  must  take  this  document  to  Mr.  Fortescue  at 
once." 

"  I  will  not  detain  you,  then.  A  thousand  thanks  for 
your  kindness  !  I  pray  Heaven  that  some  day  I  may  be 
able  to  return  it,"  fervently  exclaimed  Lyon  Berners,  rising 
from  his  chair. 

Ishmael  Worth  took  his  hand  and  held  it  while  he  looked 
earnestly  in  his  face,  and  said  : 

"  You  have  every  good  reason  now  to  hope  for  the  best ; 
so  much  reason  not  only  to  hope,  but  to  feel  assured  of  her 
release,  that  I  should  counsel  you  to  begin  at  once  your 
preparations  to  leave  the  country,  so  as  to  be  able  to  start 
on  your  voyage  with  her  immediately  after  the  pardon  ar 
rives." 

"  Thanks  for  your  words  of  comfort !  Thanks  for  your 
counsel !  I  always  leave  your  presence,  Mr.  Worth,  with 
new  life ! "  warmly  exclaimed  Lyon  Berners,  cordially 
grasping  and  shaking  the  hands  that  held  his  own. 

Then  Ishmael  Worth  took  leave  and  went  away. 

Lyon  Berners  returned  to  the  cell  of  his  wife.  He  was 
admitted  by  the  turnkey  iu  attendance. 


ISHMAEL   WORTH'S    NKWS.  237 

He  found  Sybil  fast  asleep,  on  the  outside  of  her  bed. 
Beatrix  was  sitting  by  her,  strumming  low,  soft  notes  on 
the  guitar  as  an  accompaniment  to  a  soothing  air  that  she 
was  singing. 

"What  news?"  exclaimed  the  young  lady  in  half-sup 
pressed  eagerness. 

"  There  is  a  respite  for  an  indefinite  period,  that  Mr. 
Worth  thinks  is  a  certain  prelude  to  a  future  pardon,"  an 
swered  Mr.  Berners,  seating  himself  beside  his  wife's  bed 
side. 

"  Thank  Heaven ! "  fervently  exclaimed  Beatrix.  "  But 
why  not  the  full  pardon  at  once  ?  " 

Mr.  Berners  explained  the  reasons  for  the  delay. 

"The  people  are  even  more  cruel  and  unjust  than  the 
law  !  But  still — oh  !  thank  Heaven  for  so  much  hope  and 
comfort  as  we  have  ! "  she  said. 

"  Mr.  Worth  feels  so  sure  of  the  pardon,  that  he  advises 
me  to  make  all  necessary  preparations,  so  as  to  be  able  to 
leave  the  country  immediately  upon  my  wife's  liberation," 
added  Mr.  Berners. 

"  That  will  be  glorious  !  Oh  !  do  you  know  that  advico 
seems  so  practical  that  it  gives  me  more  confidence  than 
anything  else  which  has  been  said?"  exclaimed  Miss  Pen- 
dleton,  eagerly.  "  I  will  tell  Clement  to  begin  to  get 
ready  at  once!  For  you  know  we  are  set  to  go  with  you  ! " 

"  God  bless  you ! "  was  the  only  response  of  Lyon  Bern 
ers.  Then  he  inquired,  "  How  did  my  dear  wife  happen  to 
full  asleep  at  this  hour  ?  " 

"  She  laid  down  to  rest.  Then  I  took  the  guitar  and 
&ang  to  her.  and  she  fell  asleep  like  an  infant." 

At  that  moment  Sybil  awoke  with  a  smile,  and  greeted 
her  husband  pleasantly. 

He  stooped  and  kissed  her ;  but  said  nothing  of  the 
respite,  because  she  was  still  happily  unconscious  of  any 
necessity  for  such  a  thing.  Neither  did  he  speak  of  the  pos- 


238  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

sible  voyage  to  Europe;  deeming  it  premature  to  mention 
such  a  hope  yet,  lest  she  should,  in  her  innocent  ignorance 
of  her  real  position,  chatter  of  it  to  her  visitors,  and  so  do 
her  cause  harm. 

He  staid  with  her  until  the  prison  regulations  for  closing 
the  doors  at  six  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  obliged  him  tc 
take  leave  and  depart. 

Then  he  went  home  in  a  more  hopeful  frame  of  mind 
than  he  had  enjoyed  for  many  weeks. 

The  summer  was  slipping  swiftly  away. 

Since  the  arrival  of  her  respite  for  so  long  and  indefinite 
a  period,  it  had  been  deemed  proper  by  the  warden  to 
accord  to  his  charge  many  valuable  privileges  that  she  had 
not  enjoyed,  nor  indeed,  in  her  unconsciousness  of  her  real 
situation  and  indifference  to  all  external  circumstances,  had 
not  missed  in  her  imprisonment. 

She  was  now  permitted  to  walk  in  the  shaded  grounds 
and  blooming  gardens  within  the  walled  iuclosure  around 
the  prison. 

Here,  through  the  influence  of  fresh  air  and  gentle  exer 
cise,  her  physical  health  improved  very  much,  though  her 
mental  malady  remained  unmodified. 

Here,  also,  some  members  of  her  household  from  Black 
Hall,  were  admitted  to  see  her. 

Hitherto  Miss  Tabby,  Raphael,  and  even  little  Cromartie 
had  been  carefully  excluded  from  her  presence,  lest  the 
violent  emotion  of  the  woman  and  the  youth,  or  the  inno 
cent  prattle  of  the  child,  should  suddenly  strike 

"  The  electric  chord  wherewith  we  are  darkly  bound," 

and  shock  her  into  a  full  consciousness  of  the  awful  position 
which  her  friends  were  now  more  than  ever  anxious  to  con 
ceal  from  her  knowledge.  For  they  argued,  if  only  this 
mist  of  insanity  could  be  kept  around  her  for  a  little  while 
longer,  until  the  hoped-for  pardon  should  come,  then  she 


ISHMAEL     WOET  H  8     NEWS. 

need  never  know  that  she  had  been  the  inmate  of  a  prison 
or  stood  within  the  shadow  of  the  scaffold. 

It  was  the  opinion  of  her  physician,  and  the  fear  of  her 
friends,  that  her  reason  would  return  with  the  birth  of  her 
child ;  and  they  prayed  that  it  might  not  do  so  until  she 
should  be  free  from  the  prison. 

And  so  they  had  guarded  her  from  all  associations  that 
might  suddenly  bring  back  her  memory  and  her  under 
standing  ;  and  therefore  had  denied  the  visits  of  her  faith 
ful  and  afflicted  servants  and  proteges  from  Black  Hall. 

Now,  however,  after  she  had  been  some  weeks  enjoying 
the  privilege  of  daily  exercise  in  the  fresh  air  of  the 
grounds,  and  her  health  had  gained  so  much,  her  harmless 
hallucination  began  to  take  a  pleasing  and  favorable  turn. 

She  now  knew  that  she  was  going  to  be  a  mother;  and 
she  fancied  that  she  was  staying  at  some  pleasant  place 
of  summer  resort  for  the  benefit  of  her  health,  and  that 
Beatrix  Pendleton  was  also  one  of  the  guests  of  the  house ; 
and  that  Lyon  Berners  was  only  an  occasional  visitor  be 
cause  the  duties  of  his  profession  confined  him  the  greater 
part  of  the  time  at  Blackville. 

It  happened  one  morning,  when  Sybil  was  taking  her 
usual  exercise  in  the  garden,  attended  by  her  husband  and 
her  friend,  she  suddenly  turned  to  Mr.  Berners  and  said  : 

"Lyon  dear,  I  want  to  see  Tabby  and  Joe.  The  next 
time  you  come  to  see  me,  I  wish  you  would  bring  them  with 
you." 

"I  will  do  so,  dear  Sybil.  Is  there  any  one  else  you 
would  like  to  see  ?  "  inquired  her  husband,  who  deemed  now 
that,  with  proper  precautions,  her  friends  from  Blackville 
might  be  permitted  to  see  her. 

"  No,  no  one  else  particularly,"  she  answered. 

"  Are  you  sure  ?  " 

"  Why,  yes,  Lyon,  dear ;  I  am  sure  I  do  not  care  to  see 
anybody  else  especially.  Why,  who  is  there  indeed,  that  I 


240  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

should  care  for  at  Black  Hall,  except  my  own  faithful  ser 
vants  ?  "  she  asked,  a  little  impatiently.  She  had  never 
once,  since  her  imprisonment,  mentioned  the  name  of 
Raphael  or  little  Cromartie.  She  had  apparently  forgotten 
them,  as  well  as  all  other  persons  and  circumstances  imme 
diately  connected  with  the  tragedy  at  Black  Hall  and  the 
trial  at  Blackville. 

And  Mr.  Berners  would  not  venture  to  remind  her  of 
their  existence. 

"Very  well,  dearest,  I  will  bring  your  friends  to  see  you 
to-morrow,"  said  Mr.  Berners  soothingly. 


•CHAPTER  XXII. 

HOPE. 

One  precious  pearl.  In  sorrow's  cup, 

UnmeHed  at  the  bottom  lay. 
To  shine  again  when,  all  drunk  up. 

The  bitterness  should  pass  away. — MOOEF. 

BUT  if  Sybil,  in  the  chaos  of  her  mind,  had  lost  all 
memory  of  her  two  proteges,  they  had  not  for  a  moment 
forgotten  her. 

Raphael,  who  was  perfectly  well  aware  of  Sybil's  situa 
tion,  was  breaking  his  heart  at  Black  Hall.  And  every 
morning  when  little  Cro'  was  set  up  in  his  high  chair  beside 
Mrs.  Berners'  vacant  place  at  the  head  of  the  breakfast 
table,  he  would  ask  piteously  : 

"  If  '  Sybil-mamma,'  was  coming  home  to-day  ?  "  An^. 
erery  morning  he  would  be  answered,  evasively  : 

"  May  be,  to-day  or  to-morrow." 

The  day  succeeding  his  promise  to  his  wife,  Mr.  Berners 
informed  Miss  Tabby  that  he  should  take  her  to  the  prison 
to  see  Sybil,  and  requested  her  to  get  ready  at  once  to  go. 
And  at  the  same  time  he  sent  a  message  to  Joe  to  put  the 
horses  to  the  carriage  and  prepare  to  drive  them. 


HOPE.  241 

Miss  Tabby,  at  the  prospect  of  meeting  Sybil,  whom  she 
had  not  seen  for  some  months,  burst  into  a  fit  of  loud  hys 
terical  sobbing  and  crying,  and  could  not  be  comforted. 

Mr.  Berners  had  patience  with  her,  and  let  the  storm 
take  its  course,  knowing  that  it  would  be  followed  by  a  calm 
that  would  best  prepare  the  poor  creature  to  meet  her  lady. 

When  Miss  Tabby  was  composed  enough  to  listen  to  him, 
Mr.  Berners  very  impressively  said  to  her: 

"  You  must  remember  Mrs.  Berner's  mental  derangement, 
that  renders  her  utterly  unconscious  of  her  imprisonment, 
and  unconcerned  about  her  future,  and  you  must  be  very 
cautious  neither  to  betray  any  emotion  at  the  sight  of  her, 
nor  to  make  any  allusion  to  the  murder  or  the  trial,  or  to 
any  person  or  event  connected  with  either ;  for  she  has  for- 
gotteii  all  about  it." 

"  That  is  a  wonderful  blessing  indeed,  and  I  would  bite 
my  tongue  off  sooner  than  say  anything  to  disturb  her," 
said  Miss  Tabby,  with  a  few  subsiding  sobs. 

The  same  admonition  which  he  had  administered  to  Misa 
Tabby  was  also  emphatically  impressed  upon  the  mind  of 
Joe.  And  the  old  man  was  even  more  ready  and  able  to 
understand  and  act  upon  it  than  the  old  maid  had  been. 

When  Raphael  and  little  Cro'  found  out  that  Mr.  Berners 
was  going  to  take  Miss  Tabby  to  see  Mrs.  Berners,  they 
both  pleaded  to  go  with  him  also. 

But  this  could  not  in  either  case  be  permitted. 

To  Raphael  Mr.  Berners  explained  the  case  of  his  wife, 
and  sent  the  boy  away  more  sorrowful,  if  possible,  than 
before. 

To  little  Cro'  he  gave  his  gold  pencil  and  his  new  blank 
note-book  from  his  pocket,  that  the  child  might  amuse  him 
self  with  drawing  "  pictures,"  and  he  promised  to  take  him 
to  see  "  Sybil-mamma  "  at  some  future  day. 

It  was  yet  early  in  the  forenoon  when  the  carriage  from 
15 


242  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

Black  Hall  rolled  through  the  prison  gates,  and  drew  up 
before  the  great  door  of  the  building. 

Miss  Tabby  groaned  and  sighed  heavily  as  she  followed 
Mr.  Berners  into  the  gloomy  hall. 

They  were  met  by  one  of  the  turnkeys,  who  informed 
Mr.  Berners  that  Mrs.  Berners  and  Miss  Pendleton  were 
taking  the  air  in  the  walled  garden  behind  the  building. 

Preceded  by  the  turnkey  and  followed  by  Miss  Tabby, 
Lyon  Berners  went  through  the  hall  out  at  the  grated  back 
door,  and  through  the  walled  back  yard,  and  through 
another  heavy  gate  into  the  strongly  enclosed  and  well- 
shaded  garden,  where  he  found  his  wife  and  her  friend  sit 
ting  under  the  trees. 

This  was  so  much  better  than  anything  Miss  Tabby  had 
expected  to  see,  that  her  depressed  spirits  rose  at  once  as 
she  hurried  after  Mr.  Berners  to  meet  Sybil,  who,  with 
Beatrix,  had  arisen  to  receive  him. 

Mr.  Berners  had  scarcely  time  to  embrace  his  wife  and 
shake  hands  with  Miss  Pendleton,  before  Miss  Tabby 
rushed  past  him,  caught  Sybil  in  her  arms,  and  forgetting 
all  Mr.  Berners'  cautions  and  her  own  promises,  fell  to  sob 
bing  and  crying  over  her  foster-child,  and  exclaiming  : 

"  Oh,  my  lamb  !  my  baby  !  my  darling  !  And  is  it  here 
I  find  you,  my  darling !  my  baby !  my  lamb ! "  etc.,  etc., 
etc. 

"  Why,  you  foolish  old  Tabby,  what  are  you  howling  for 
now  ?  Have  n't  you  got  over  your  habit  of  crying  for  every 
thing  yet,  you  over-grown  old  infant  ?  "  asked  Sybil,  laugh 
ing,  as  she  extricated  herself  from  the  clinging  embrace, 
and  sat  down. 

"  I  know  I  'm  an  old  fool,"  whimpered  Miss  Tabby,  as  she 
•wiped  her  eyes,  and  leaning  up  against  the  bole  of  the  tree. 

"To  be  sure  you  are!  Everybody  knows  that!  But 
you  are  a  dear,  good  old  Tabby,  for  all ;  and  I  am  delighted 
to  see  you.  And  now  are  n't  you  going  to  speak  to  Miss. 
Pendleton  ?  " 


HOPE.  243 

"  Oh,  yes  !  how  do  you  do,  Miss  Beatrix  ?  "  inquired  the 
old  woman,  as  she  courtesied  and  offered  her  hand  to  Miss 
Pendleton. 

"  I  am  well  and  glad  to  see  you,  Miss  Tabby,"  answered 
the  young  lady,  cordially. 

"  And  oh,  Miss  Beatrix,  I  do  pray  the  Lord  to  bless  you 
every  night  and  morning  of  my  life  !  For  surely  you  do 
deserve  blessings  for  staying  with  Miss  Sybil  in  this  here 
awful—  » 

An  admonitory  pressure  of  Miss  Tabby's  shoe  by  Mr. 
Berner's  boot  arrested  her  speech  for  an  instant,  and  then 
modified  it : 

"  In  this  here  commodious  and  sillubrious  watering 
place ! "  she  added,  with  a  knowing  nod  towards  Mr. 
Berners,  which  happity  escaped  Sybil's  notice. 

Sybil  had  many  questions  to  ask  about  Black  Hall  and 
its  inmates,  and  its  surroundings ;  but  first  she  asked  the 
general  question  : 

"  How  are  all  at  home,  Miss  Tabby  ?  " 

"  Oh,  all  are  well,  my  dear  child ! "  answered  the  old 
woman,  "  as  well  as  can  be,  considering  your —  Oh,  there 
I  go  again ! "  she  exclaimed,  suddenly  breaking  off  iu 
alarm. 

"  All  are  well,  you  say,  Miss  Tabby  ?  "  inquired  Sybil. 

"  Oh  yes,  honey,  all  well,  the  servants  and  the  cattle,  and 
the  pets  and  all  the  other  animyles,  and  Raphael  and  little 
Cromartie —  Oh,  my  goodness  !  there  I  go  again,  worse 
than  ever." 

"Who?  Raph — Cro'?"  began  Sybil,  passing  her  haud 
in  perplexity  to  and  fro  across  her  brow.  "  Who  are  they  ? 
Did  I  dream  of  them,  or  read  of  them  somewhere  ?  Raph 
— Cro'.  Oh,  dear  me,  my  head  is  so  queer !  Did  I  read 
or  dream  ?  " 

"No,  my  dear,"  exclaimed  Miss  Tabby,  hastening  to 
retrieve  her  error.  "  You  did  not  read,  nor  likewise  dream 


244  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

of  any  sich.     They  's  peacocks,  honey ;  nothing  but  pea 
cocks,  is  was  bought  to  ornament  the  lawn,  you  know." 

"  Oh  yes,  I  know  !  peacocks ! "  said  Sybil  with  a  smile, 
readily  adopting  the  explanation  that  had  been  made  to 
her.  "  But  I  dreamt  a  strange  dream  about  those  peacocks. 
I  dreamt — Oh,  I  can't  remember  what  I  dreamt ! "  she  con 
tinued,  contracting  her  brows  with  an  expression  of  pain 
and  perplexity. 

"Never  mind,  my  darling,  what  it  was.  Dreams  are 
profitless  subjects  to  employ  the  mind  upon,"  said  Beatrix 
Pendleton,  taking  Sybil's  hand,  and  lifting  her  up.  "  Now 
come  with  me.  I  have  something  pleasanter  to  talk  about," 
she  added,  as  she  drew  Sybil  down  one  of  the  shaded  garden 
walks. 

There  was  one  subject  among  others  upon  which  Sybil 
was  quite  sane;  her  own  approaching  maternity.  Beatrix 
knew  this,  as  she  led  her  to  a  distant  garden  seat,  and  made 
her  sit  down  upon  it,  while  she  said : 

"  Now,  darling,  that  Miss  Tabby  is  here,  had  we  not  better 
commission  her  to  buy  some  flannels  and  lawns  and  laces  for 
the  wardrobe  of  the  coming  child  ?  She  can  bring  them 
when  she  comes  next  time.  And  you  and  I  can  amuse  our 
selves  with  making  them  up." 

"  Oh  yes,  yes,  indeed  !  That  will  be  delightful.  How 
strange  I  never  thought  of  that  before  !  Why,  I  do  believe 
I  would  have  let  the  little  stranger  arrive  without  an  article 
to  put  on  it,  if  you  had  n't  reminded  me — and  I  a  married 
woman,  who  ought  to  know  better,  and  you  only  a  girl,  who 
ought  to  know  nothing  !  Well,  I  do  declare  !  "  exclaimed 
Sybil,  turning  and  staring  at  her  companion. 

"  Never  mind,  darling  ;  it  is  only  because  you  have  been 
ill,  and  I  have  been  well,  that  you  have  forgotten  this  neces 
sary  provision,  while  I  have  remembered  it,"  said  Beatrix 
Booth  ingly. 

"  Well,  I  won't  forget  it  again  ! "  exclaimed  Sybil,  start- 


HOPE.  245 

ing  up  and  running  towards  her  husband,  and  followed  by 
Miss  Pendleton. 

"  Lyon  !  "  she  said,  breathlessly.  "  How  much  money 
have  you  got  about  you  ?  " 

"  I  do  n't  know,  dear.  You  can  have  it  all,  if  you  wish, 
be  it  little  or  much  ;  for  it  is  all  your  own,  Sybil,"  replied 
Lyon  Berners,  putting  his  purse  in  her  hands. 

"  Oh,  no,  I  do  n't  want  that ;  but  you  must  give  Tabby  as 
much  money  as  she  may  require,  to  make  some  purchases 
for  nae." 

"  Yes,  certainly,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  taking  back  his 
pocket-book. 

"  Me  !  me  make  purchases  for  you,  my  lamb  ?  La ! 
whatever  can  you  want  in  this  awful —  There  I  go  again  !  " 
exclaimed  Miss  Tabby  in  dismay. 

u  You  have  too  much  curiosity,  you  good  old  soul.  But 
here,  come  with  me,  and  I  will  tell  you  what  to  buy  for  me 
—after  you  have  instructed  me  as  to  what  I  shall  want,"  said 
Sybil,  laughing  archly,  as  she  led  the  way  to  a  rude  arbor  at 
a  short  distance. 

"  Now,  Tabby,  what  I  want  you  to  buy  for  me,  is  every 
thing  in  the  world  that  is  needed  for  a  bran,  t>pic  and  span 
new  baby !  " 

"  La  !  Miss  Sybil ;  whose  baby  ?  "  inquired  the  aston 
ished  housekeeper,  with  her  mouth  and  eyes  wide  open. 

"  Tabby,  do  n't  be  a  goose  !  " 

"  But,  Miss  Sybil,  I  do  n't  know  what  you  mean  ! " 

«  Tabby,  I  'm  not  «  Miss  Sybil '  to  begin  with  !  I  'm 
Mrs.  Berners,  and  have  been  married  more  fchan  a  year,  and 
you  know  it,  you  stupid  old  Tabby  !  " 

"  But,  Miss  Sybil,  or  ratheiwise  Mrs.  Berners,  if  I  must 
be  so  ceremonious  with  my  own  nurse-child,  what  has  that 
to  do  with  what  you  Ve  been  a-askjng  of  me  to  buy  ?  " 

"  Nothing  at  all,"  answered  Sybil,  half-provoked  and  half- 
amused  at  the  dullness  of  the  old  housekeeper.  "  Nothing 


'246 


TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 


whatever.  But  you  must  go  out  and  buy  everything  that 
is  required  for  the  wardrobe  of  a  young  child ;  and  you 
must  find  out  what  is  necessary,  for  I  myself  have  n't  the 
slightest  idea  of  what  that  is." 

The  housekeeper  looked  at  the  lady  for  a  moment,  in 
questioning  doubt  and  fear,  and  then,  as  the  truth  slowly 
penetrated  her  mind,  she  broke  forth  suddenly  with  : 

"  Ob,  my  good  gracious  !  Miss  Sybil,  honey  !  you  do  n't 
mean  it,  do  you  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  do,  Tabby ;  and  I  thank  heaven  every  day  for 
the  coming  blessing,"  said  the  young  wife,  fervently. 

"  But  oh,  Miss  Sybil,  in  such  a  place  as  this —  There  I 
go  again  ! "  exclaimed  the  housekeeper,  breaking  off  in  a 
panic,  and  then  adding,  "I  an't  fit  to  come  to  see  you  ;  no 
that  I  an't.  I  'm  always  a  forgetting,  especially  when  you 
talk  so  sensible  ! " 

"  What  'a  the  matter  with  you  Tabby  ?  Are  you  crazy  ? 
you  never  thought  I  was  going  to  stay  here  for  such  an 
event,  did  you  ?  In  a  public  resort  like  this  ?  Tabby,  I  'm 
shocked  at  you  !  No  !  I  shall  be  home  at  Black  Hall  to  re 
ceive  the  little  stranger,  Tabby,"  said  Sybil,  making  the 
longest  and  most  connected  speech  she  Lad  made  since  her 
reason  had  become  impaired. 

"  Ah,  Lord !  ah,  my  Lord  ! "  cried  the  old  woman,  on 
the  verge  of  hysterics  again. 

"Now,  Tabby,  don't  begin  to  whimper!  You  whimper 
over  everything  though,  I  know.  You  whimpered  when  I 
was  born,  and  when  I  was  christened,  and  when  I  was  mar 
ried  ;  and  now  you  whimper  when  I  am  going  to  be  crown 
ed  with  the  crown  of  maternity.  Oh,  you  old  rebel ! " 
cried  Sybil,  contradicting  all  her  sarcastic  words  by  caress 
ing  her  old  friend. 

"  No,  I  do  n't  mean  to  !  but  if  you  knowed  !  Oh  !  if  you 
knowed ! "  exclaimed  Miss  Tabby,  suppressing  and  swal 
lowing  her  sobs. 


HOPE.  247 

"  Now,  then,  let  us  go  back  to  Lyon.  Lyon  will  give  you 
what  money  you  may  need  for  the  purchases ;  and  I  beg 
that  you  will  make  them  as  soon  as  possible,  and  bring 
them  to  me  here,"  said  Sybil,  as  she  arose  and  walked  back 
to  the  spot  where  she  had  left  her  husband  and  her  friend. 

After  a  little  general  conversation,  in  which  Sybil  some 
times  joined  naturally,  and  from  which  she  also  sometimes 
wandered  off  at  random,  Mr.  Berners  proposed  to  call  in 
Joe  to  pay  his  respects  to  his  mistress. 

Sybil  sprang  at  the  proposal,  and  Joe  was  duly  summon 
ed  from  his  seat  on  the  box  of  the  carriage  before  the  door. 

He  came  into  the  garden  hat  in  hand,  and  bowed  gravely 
before  his  unfortunate  mistress. 

And  when  she  asked  him  many  questions  about  that  de 
partment  of  the  domestic  economy  of  Black  Hall  that  fell 
under  his  own  supervision,  he  answered  all  her  questions 
satisfactorily,  without  ever  once  falling  into  the  unlucky 
blunders  that  had  marred  Miss  Tabby's  communications. 

"  Your  favorite  mare,  Diana  is  in  prime  order,  ma'am, 
and  will  be  so  whenever  you  come  home  again  to  take  your 
rides  in  the  valley.  And  your  coach  horses  Castor  and 
Pollux,  ma'am,  could  n't  be  in  better  trim.  I  shall  take 
pride  in  driving  of  you  to  church  behind  them,  ma'am,  the 
first  Sunday  after  you  come  home,  which  we  all  at  Black 
Hall  hopes,  as  the  waters  of  this  here  cilibrated  spring  may 
soon  restore  your  health,  and  send  you  back  to  us  strong 
and  happy,"  said  Joe,  at  the  conclusion  of  a  very  long 
address. 

"  Thanks,  Joe  !  I  know  that  you  are  very  sincere  and 
earnest  in  your  good  wishes.  Many  thanks !  But,  dear 
old  soul,  how  came  you  to  be  so  lame  ?  " 

Joe  was  taken  by  surprise,  and  stood  aghast.  He  kuew 
of  course  that  his  mistress  was  slightly  insane ;  but  be  was 
utterly  unprepared  for  such  a  lapse  of  memory  as  this.  He 
looked  at  his  master  in  distress  and  perplexity. 


248  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

"  Oh  ! "  answered  Lyon  Berners  for  his  man,  "  Joe  vraa 
thrown  from  his  horse,  arid  had  his  ankle  sprained." 

"  Poor  Joe !  You  must  be  very  careful  until  it  gets 
quite  well,"  said  Sybil,  compassionately. 

And  soon  after  this  her  visitors,  master  and  servants, 
took  their  leave. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 
SYBIL'S  CHILD. 

But  thou  wilt  burst  primeval  sleep, 

And  thou  wilt  live  my  babe  to  weep ; 

The  tenant  of  a  dark  abode. 

Thy  tears  must  flow  as  mine  bave  flowed. — BYBJIT. 

SUMMER  ripened  into  autumn.  Sybil  and  her  faithful 
friend  employed  the  golden  days  of  September  and  October 
in  the  graceful  and  pleasing  feminine  work  of  making  up 
garments  for  the  expected  little  stranger. 

But  meanwhile,  outside  the  prison  walls,  a  cloud,  black 
as  night,  was  gathering  over  the  young  prisoner's  doomed 
head. 

The  rumor  got  ahroad  that  the  Governor  meant  to  follow 
up  the  long  respite  with  a  full  pardon. 

His  course  in  this  matter  was  canvassed  and  commented 
upon  severely  in  every  bar-room,  grocery,  street  corner, 
political  meeting,  and  elsewhere. 

The  press  took  up  the  matter,  and  vindictively  repro 
bated  the  course  of  the  Governor,  putting  his  conduct  upon 
the  motives  of  partiality  for  the  aristocracy. 

Had  the  murderess  been  a  woman  of  the  people,  it  said, 
her  life  would  have  paid  the  forfeit  of  her  crime. 

But  she  was  a  lady  of  the  county  aristocracy,  a  daughter 
of  the  house  of  Berners ;  and  however  notoriously  that 
house  had  been  cursed  with  demoniac  passions,  and  however 


SYBIL'S    CHILD.  249 

deeply  dyed  with  crime,  its  daughter,  however  guilty,  was 
not  to  be  held  amenable  to  the  laws  ! 

Was  such  outrageous  worship  of  the  aristocracy  by  par 
tial  judges  and  venal  governors  to  be  endured  in  a  country 
of  freemen  ? 

No  !  the  voice  of  the  people  would  be  heard  through  their 
organ,  a  free  press  !  and  if  not  listened  to,  then  it  would  be 
heard  in  thunder  at  the  polls  in  the  coming  autumn 
elections  ! 

Such  was  the  spirit  of  the  people  and  the  press  in  regard 
to  Sybil. 

It  was  strange  how  the  people  and  the  press  clamored  for 
the  sacrifice  of  Sybil  Berners'  life — the  "  female  fiend," 
as  they  did  not  hesitate  to  call  her,  "  daughter  of  demons," 
"  the  last  of  a  race  of  devils,  who  should  have  been  exter 
minated  long  before,"  they  declared. 

It  was  because  they  honestly  ascribed  to  her  a  nature  she 
did  not  possess,  and  imputed  to  her  a  crime  she  had  not 
committed,  thus  making  her  innocently  suffer  for  the  sins 
of  her  forefathers. 

Of  course  there  were  honorable  exceptions  to  this  general 
and  unmerited  reprobation  of  a  guiltless  young  creature, 
but  these  exceptions  were  mostly  among  Sj'biPs  own  set, 
and  were  too  few  to  have  any  force  against  the  overwhelm 
ing  weight  of  public  sentiment. 

And  it  was  the  general  belief  that,  if  the  Governor 
should  outrage  public  opinion  by  pardoning  Sybil  Berners, 
he  would  be  politically  ruined.  Sybil  Berners  could  not  be 
permitted  to  live.  She  must  die  before  the  Governor  could 
be  re-elected  by  the  people.  And  the  election  was  coming 
on  in  the  ensuing  November. 

Would  he  purchase  success  by  the  sacrifice  of  this  young 
sufferer's  life  ? 

Ah  !  her  best  friends,  asking  themselves  this  question, 
were  forced  to  answer,  "  Yes  !  " 


250  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

This  state  of  affairs  had  a  most  depressing  effect  upon 
Sybil's  husband,  especially  as  he  had  sustained  a  great  loss 
in  the  departure  of  her  zealous  advocate,  Ishtnael  Worth. 

The  young  lawyer,  soon  after  he  had  brought  down 
Sybil's  respite  from  the  Governor,  had  been  called  away  on 
business  of  the  utmost  importance,  and  had  eventually 
sailed  for  Europe.  He  had  gone,  however,  with  the  most 
confident  expectations  of  her  liberation. 

How  these  expectations  were  destined  to  be  defeated,  it 
was  now  plain  to  see. 

It  required  all  Mr.  Berners'  powers  of  self-control  to  wear 
a  calm  demeanor  in  the  presence  of  his  unsuspicious  wife. 
He  had  carefully  kept  from  the  cell  every  copy  of  a  news 
paper  that  contained  any  allusion  to  the  condemned  pris 
oner  and  her  circumstances,  and  he  did  this  to  keep  Beatrix, 
as  well  as  Sybil,  ignorant  of  the  impending  doom  ;  for  lie 
wished  Beatrix  to  preserve  in  Sybil's  presence  the  cheerful 
countenance  that  she  never  could  wear  if  she  should  discover 
the  thunder-cloud  of  destruction  that  lowered  darker  and 
heavier,  day  by  day,  over  the  head  of  her  doomed  com 
panion. 

But  Sybil  herself  was  losing  her  good  spirits.  The 
autumn  had  set  in  very  early ;  and  though  now  it  was  but 
October,  the  weather  was  too  cool  and  often  also  too  damp 
to  make  it  prudent  for  the  poor  prisoner  to  spend  so  many 
Lours  in  the  prison  garden  as  she  had  lately  been  permitted 
to  do.  She  sat  much  in  her  cell,  sad,  silent,  and  brooding. 

"What  is  the  matter  with  you,  my  darling?"  inquired 
Beatrix  Pendleton  one  day,  when  they  sat  together  in  the 
cell,  Beatrix  sewing  diligently  on  an  infant's  robe,  and 
Sybil,  with  her  neglected  needle-work  lying  on  her  lap,  and 
her  head  bowed  upon  her  hand,  "  What  is  the  matter  with 
you,  Sybil  ?  " 

"  Oh,  Beatrix,  I  do  n't  know.  But  this  autumn  weather, 
it  saddens  me.  Oh,  more  than  that — worse  than  that,  it 


SYBIL'S    CHILD.  251 

horrifies  me  so  much  !  It  seetns  associated  with — I  know 
not  what  of  anguish  and  despair.  And  I  want  to  leave  this 
desolate  and  gloomy  place.  It  is  so  lonely,  now  that  all  the 
visitors  have  gone  but  ourselves.  How  can  you  bear  it, 
Beatrix  ?  " 

"  Very  well,  dear,  so  long  as  I  have  your  company,"  an 
swered  Miss  Pendleton,  wondering  that  Sybil  should  miss 
the  throng  of  visitors  that  had  existed  only  in  her  own 
imagination. 

"But  I  am  homesick,  Beatrix.  Oh,  Beatrix!  lam  so 
— so — homesick  !  "  said  Sybil,  plaintively. 

"Never  mind,  dear.  Try  to  be  patient.  It  would  not  do 
for  you  to  undertake  the  journey  now,  you  know,"  said  Miss 
Pendleton,  soothingly. 

"  Oh,  but,  Beatrix,  I  did  so  want  to  be  at  home  to  welcome 
my  first  dear  child !  There  was  never  a  Berners  born  out 
of  Black  Hall  since  the  building  was  first  erected,"  she 
pleaded. 

"  Never  mind,  dear.  Everything  now  must  give  way  to 
your  health,  you  know.  We  could  not  endager  your  health, 
by  taking  you  over  all  these  rough  roads  to  Black  Hall  just 
now,"  said  Miss  Peudleton,  gently. 

"  Ah,  well  1  I  will  try  to  content  myself  to  stay  here  in 
this  gloomy  place.  But,  oh  !  Beatrix,  after  all,  I  may  die, 
and  never  see  my  home  again.  My  dear  home  !  Oh,  if  I 
should  die  here,  Beatrix,  I  should  be  sure  to  haunt  my 
home  !  " 

"  But  you  will  not  die.  You  must  put  away  such  gloomy 
fancies ! " 

As  Miss  Pendletoii  spoke,  the  cell  door  was  opened,  and 
the  warden  appeared  bearing  in  the  tray  containing  the 
supper  service  for  the  two  ladies.  It  was  not  usual  for  the 
warden  to  wait  on  them  in  person  ;  and  so,  to  Miss  Pendle- 
ton's  silent  look  of  inquiry,  he  answered  : 

"  You  must  excuse  my  daughter  for  this  once,  ma'am,  as 


252  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

she  has  gone  to  a  merry-making  in  the  village — this,  you 
know,  being  Hallow  Eve." 

"  Halloio  Eve  !  "  echoed  an  awful  voice. 

Both  the  warden  and  the  young  lady  started,  and  turned 
around  to  see  whence  the  unearthly  sound  came. 

They  beheld  Sybil  fallen  back  in  her  chair,  pallid,  ghastly, 
and  convulsed. 

Beatrix  seized  her  vial  of  sal  volatile  and  flew  to  the  relief 
of  her  friend. 

"  What  is  it,  dear  Sybil  ?  can  you  tell  me  ? "  she  anx 
iously  inquired,  as  she  held  the  vial  to  the  nostrils  of  her 
friend. 

"  Hallow  Eve  I  Hallow  Eve  !  "  she  repeated  in  a  terrible 
tone. 

'<  Well,  dear,  what  of  that?     That  is  nothing." 

"  Oh  yes,  yes,  it  is  horrible  !  it  is  horrible  ! " 

"  Hush,  hush,  dear !  try  to  be  composed." 

"  Black  night !  fire  !  blood  !     Oh,  what  a  terror  ! " 

"  It  was  only  a  dream,  dear.  It  is  over  now,  and  you  arc 
awake.  Look  up  !  " 

"  Oh,  no  !  no  dream,  Beatrix !  an  awful,  an  overwhelming 
reality  ! "  exclaimed  the  awakened  sufferer.  Then  suddenly, 
with  a  shriek,  she  threw  her  hands  to  her  head  arid  fell  into 
spasms. 

"  For  heaven's  sake  run  and  fetch  a  doctor,"  exclaimed 
Beatrix,  in  the  utmost  distress,  appealing  to  the  terrified 
•warden. 

He  immediately  hurried  from  the  room  to  procure  the 
necessary  medical  attendance. 

Beatrix  ran  after  him,  calling  loudly  : 

"  Send  for  her  husband  and  her  old  nurse  from  Black 
Hall,  also.  I  know  it  is  after  hours,  but  I  believe  she  is 
dying." 

The  warden  nodded  assent,  and  hurried  away,  leaving 
Miss  Pendleton  in  attendance  upon  the  agonized  woman, 


SYBIL'S    CHILD.  253 

who  recovered  from  one  convulsion  only  to  fall  into  another 
and  severer  one. 


It  was  midnight,  and  a  sorrowful  and  anxious  group  were 
gathered  in  Sybil's  cell.  She  lay  upon  her  bed,  writhing 
with  agony,  and  upon  the  very  verge  of  death. 

Near  her  stood  her  old  family  physician  Dr.  Hart,  her  old 
nurse  Mrs.  Winterose,  and  her  faithful  attendant  Miss 
Tabby. 

In  the  lobby,  outside  the  cell  door,  sat  her  husband,  with 
his  face  buried  in  his  hands,  wrestling  in  prayer  with 
heaven. 

What  was  he  praying  for?  That  his  idolized  young  wife 
should  be  spared  in  this  mortal  peril  ?  No,  no,  and  a  thous 
and  times  no  !  With  all  his  heart  and  soul  he  prayed  that 
she  might  die — that  she  might  die  e'er  that  dread  warrant, 
which  had  arrived  from  Richmond  only  that  morning,  and 
which  fixed  her  execution  for  an  early  day,  could  be  carried 
out! 

This  agony  of  prayer  was  interrupted.  The  doctor  came 
out  of  the  cell,  and  whispered : 

"  It  is  over.     She  is  the  mother  of  a  little  girl." 

There  was  no  expression  of  parental  joy  or  thankfulness 
on  the  father's  part.  Only  the  breathless  question : 

"  And  she  ?     Can  she  survive  ? ;; 


254  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE    GREAT   VALLEY   STORM. 

"Then  hurtles  forth  the  wind  with  midden  hurst, 
And  hurls  the  whole  precipitated  clouds 
Down  in  a  torrent.     On  the  Bleeping  vale 
Descends  infernal  force,  and  with  strong  gust 
Turns  from  the  bottom  the  discolored  streams 
Through  the  black  night  that  broods  immense  around. 
Lashed  into  foam,  the  fierce  contending  falls 
Swift  o  'er  a  thousand  rearing  rocks  do  race." 

.  "  CAN  she  survive  ?  "  repeated  Lyon  Berners,  perceiving 
that  the  physician  hesitated  to  reply.  "If  she  must  die,  do 
not  fear  to  tell  me  so.  I,  who  love  her  best,  would  say, 
'  Thank  God  ! '  Can  she  survive  ?  " 

"  Mr.  Berners,  I  do  not  know.  Her  situation  is  very 
critical.  She  has  had  convulsions.  She  is  now  prostrated 
and  comatose,"  gravely  answered  the  doctor. 

"  Then  there  is  good  hope  that  the  Angel  of  Death  may 
take  her  home  now  ?  " 

"  There  is  strong  hope,  since  you  choose  to  call  it  hope 
instead  of  fear." 

"  Ah  !  Doctor  Hart,  you  know — you  know — " 

"That  death  in  some  cases  might  be  a  blessing — that 
death  in  this  case  certainly  would.  Yes,  I  know.  And  yet 
it  is  my  bounden  duty  to  do  what  I  can  to  save  life,  so  I 
must  return  to  my  patient,"  said  the  physician,  laying  his 
hand  upon  the  latch  of  the  door. 

"  When  may  I  see  my  wife  ?  "  inquired  Lyon  Berners. 

"  Now,  if  you  please ;  but  she  will  not  know  you,"  eaid 
the  doctor,  shaking  his  head. 

"  I  shall  know  her,  however,"  muttered  Mr.  Berners  to 
himself,  as  he  raised  his  hat  and  followed  the  doctor  into  the 
cell,  leaving  Beatrix  alone  in  the  hall. 

It  was  near  midnight,  and  Miss  Pendleton  having  been 
very  properly  turned  out  of  the  sick-room,  and  having  been 


THE     GREAT     VALLEY      STORM.  255 

then  forgotten,  even  by  herself,  had  no  place  on  which  to 
lay  her  head. 

When  Mr.  Berners,  following  the  doctor,  entered  the  cell, 
he  found  it  but  dimly  lighted  by  one  of  the  wax  candles 
with  which  his  care  had  supplied  his  wife. 

In  one  corner  sat  Miss  Tabby,  whimpering,  with  more 
reason  than  she  had  ever  before  whimpered  in  her  life,  over 
the  new-born  baby  that  lay  in  her  lap. 

Near  by  stood  old  Mrs.  Winterose,  busy  with  her  patient. 
That  patient  lay,  white  as  a  lily,  on  her  bed. 
"  How  is  she  ?  "  inquired  the  doctor,  approaching. 
"  Why,  just  the  same — no  motion,  no  sense,  hardly  any 
breath,"  answered  the  nurse. 

"  Sybil,  my  darling  !  Sybil !  "  murmured  her  heart-broken 
husband,  bending  low  over  her  still  and  pallid  face. 

She  rolled  her  head  from  side  to  side,  as  if  half-awakened 
by  some  familiar  sound,  and  then  lay  still  again. 

"  Sybil !  my  dearest  wife  !  Sybil ! "  again  murmured  Lyon 
Berners,  laying  his  hand  on  her  brow. 

She  opened  her  eyes  wide,  looked  around,  and  then  gazed 
at  her  husband's  face  as  if  it  had  been  only  a  part  of  the 
wall. 

"  Sybil,  my  dear,  my  only  love  !  Sybil ! "  he  repeated, 
trying  to  meet  and  fix  her  gaze. 

But  her  eyes  glanced  off  and  wandered  around  the  room, 
and  finally  closed  again. 

"  1  told  you  she  would  not  know  you,"  sighed  the 
doctor. 

"  So  best,  so  best,  perhaps.  Heaven  grant  that  she  may 
know  nothing  until  her  eyes  shall  open  in  that  bright  and 
b:t>ssed  land,  where 

'  The  wicked  cease  from  troubling, 
And  the  weary  are  at  rest ! ' " 

said  Lyon  Berners,  bowing  his  head. 

But  he  remained  standing  by  the  bedside,  and  gazing  at 


256  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

the  pale,  still  face  of  his  wife,  until  at  length  Miss  Tabby 
came  up  to  him,  with  the  babe  in  her  arms,  and  whimpered 
forth  : 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Lyon,  won't  you  look  at  your  little  daughter 
just  once  ?  Won't  you  say  something  to  her  ?  Won't  you 
give  her  your  blessing  ?  Nobody  has  said  a  word  to  her 
yet ;  nobody  has  welcomed  her ;  nobody  has  blessed  her ! 
Oh  !  my  good  Lord  in  heaven  !  to  be  born  in  prison,  and  not 
to  get  one  word  of  welcome  from  anybody,  even  from  her 
own  father  !  " 

And  here  Miss  Tabby,  overcome  by  her  feelings,  sobbed 
aloud  ;  for  which  weakness  I  for  one  don't  blame  her. 

"  Give  me  the  child,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  taking  the  babe 
from  the  yielding  arms  of  the  nurse.  "  Poor  little  unfortu 
nate  ! "  he  continued,  as  he  uncovered  and  gazed  on  her 
face.  "  May  the  Lord  bless  you,  for  I,  wretch  that  I  am, 
have  no  power  to  bless." 

At  this  moment  Mrs.  Winterose  came  up,  and  addressing 
the  doctor,  said  : 

"  Sir,  I  have  done  all  I  can  do  in  this  extremity.  Tabby 
is  fully  equal  to  anything  that  may  happen  now.  But  as  for 
me,  sir,  I  mutt  leave." 

"  Leave  ?  What  are  you  thinking  of,  woman  ?  "  demand 
ed  the  doctor,  almost  angrily. 

"  Sir,  I  left  my  poor  old  husband  at  the  very  point  of 
death  !  I  would  not  have  left  him,  for  any  other  cause  on 
earth  but  this.  And  now  I  must  go  back  to  him,  or  he  may 
be  dead  before  I  get  there." 

"  Good  Heaven,  my  dear  woman,  but  this  is  dreadful ! " 

"  I  know  it  is,  sir.  But  I  could  n't  help  it.  My  child 
here  ill  and  in  prison,  and  I  called  to  help  her  in  her  ex- 
tremit3r,  and  my  husband  on  his  death-bed.  Well,  sir,  I 
could  n't  help  my  poor  old  man  much,  because  he  was  so  low 
he  did  n't  know  one  face  from  another,  and  I  could  help  my 
poor  imprisoned,  suffering  child;  and  so  I  left  my  dying 


THE      GREAT     VALLEY     STORM.  257 

husband  to  the  care  of  my  darter  Libby,  and  I  comes  to  my 
suffering  child !  But  now  she's  over  the  worst  of  it,  I  must 
leave  her  in  the  care  of  Tabby,  and  go  back  to  my  dying 
husband.  Pleaso  God  I  may  find  him  alive ! "  said  the 
poor  woman,  fervently  clasping  her  hands. 

"  My  good  soul,  here  is  indeed  a  most  painful  case  of  a 
divided  duty,"  said  the  doctor,  in  admiration. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  but  the  Lord  fits  the  back  to  the  burden," 
sighed  Mrs.  Wiuterose,  resignedly. 

"  Have  you  two  backs  ?  "  wickedly  inquired  the  doctor. 

"What  was  it,  sir?"  asked  Mrs.  Winterose,  doubting 
her  own  ears. 

"  Nothing.  But  just  see  what  a  storm  is  coming  up  ! 
You  '11  be  caught  in  it  if  you  venture  out." 

"  Law,  sir,  I  'm  not  sugar,  nor  likewise  salt,  to  get  melted 
in  a  little  water.  And  I  must  go,  sir,  please,  if  I  am  ever 
to  see  my  old  man  alive  again,"  said  the  nurse  resolutely, 
putting  on  her  bonnet  and  shawl. 

"  But  how  are  you  going  six  miles  through  night  and 
storm  ?  " 

"  Mr.  Lyon  will  not  begrudge  me  the  use  of  the  carriage 
and  horses  and  driver  as  brought  me  here,  to  take  me 
back  to  my  husband's  death-bed,  I  reckon,"  said  the  old 
woman  confidently. 

"  No,  indeed ;  nor  any  help  I  can  give  you,  dear  Mrs. 
Winterose,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  feeling  himself  appealed  to. 

"  Thanky,  sir ;  I  knowed  it.  And  this  I  say :  When 
the  breath  is  outen  my  poor  old  man's  body  I  will  come 
back  to  my  child,  holding  it  always  more  dutiful  to  attend 
to  the  living  as  can  suffer,  rather  than  to  the  dead  as  are  at 
rest.  And  now,  if  you  please,  Mr.  Lyon,  to  see  me  into  the 
carriage,  and  order  Joe  to  drive  me  home,  I  will  be 
obleeged  to  you,"  said  the  old  woman. 

Lyon  Berners  gave  her  his  arm,  with  as  much  respect  as 
if  she  had  been  a  duchess,  and  led  her  from  the  room. 
16 


258  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

When  they  reached  the  outer  door,  which  the  warden,  in 
consideration  of  the  necessity,  ordered  to  be  opened  at  this 
unusual  hour,  they  found  the  rain  pouring  in  torrents  from 
a  sky  as  black  as  pitch. 

"  A  wild  night  to  take  the  road,  Mrs.  Winterose,"  said 
Mr.  Berners,  as  he  hoisted  a  large  umbrella  over  her  head. 

"  I  do  n't  know  as  I  remember  a  wilder  one,  sir,  since  the 
flood  of  ninety,  and  that  was  when  I  was  a  young  'oman, 
which  was  n't  yesterday.  And  you  '11  hardly  remember 
that,  sir  ?  " 

"No,"  answered  Lyon,  hurrying  her  into  the  carriage 
and  hastily  clapping  to  the  door. 

The  turnkey  on  duty  that  night  went  with  the  carriage 
to  unbar  the  outer  gate  for  it  to  pass.  Notwithstanding 
his  large  umbrella  he  came  back  drenched  with  rain. 

"  Good  Lord !  an't  it  comin'  down  ?  Another  Noah's 
flood !  Bird  Creek  is  boiling  like  a  pot.  It  is  all  up 
in  a  white  foam !  so  white  that  you  can  see  it  through  the 
darkness ;  and  listen  I  you  can  hear  it  from  here ! "  said 
the  turnkey  as  he  entered  the  hall,  shook  himself,  making 
a  rain  shower  around  him,  and  proceeded  to  bar  the 
entrance  again. 

"  You  won't  want  this  door  opened  again  to-night,  will 
you,  Doctor  ? "  inquired  the  man,  rather  impatiently,  of 
the  physician,  who  had  stepped  to  the  door. 

Dr.  Hart  hesitated,  and  seemed  to  debate  with  himself, 
and  then  answered : 

"  I  must  stay  with  my  patient  for  another  hour,  and  then, 
if  there  should  be  no  change  in  her  condition,  I  shall  have 
to  trouble  you  to  let  me  out,  Mr.  Martin — since  you  have 
go*,  no  warrant  to  keep  me  here,"  he  added,  with  a  smile. 

The  man  put  up  the  last  bar  with  a  bang,  and  looked  as 
if  he  wished  he  had  the  authority  of  which  the  doctor 
spoke. 

Dr.  Hart  returned  to  the  room  of  his  patient  whom  he 


THE     GREAT     VALLEY     STOKM.  259 

found  in  the  same  comatose  state,  watched  by  Miss  Tabby, 
who  was  moaning  over  the  young  babe  that  lay  across  her 
lap,  and  by  Lyon  Berners,  who  sat  beside  the  bed  holding 
his  wife's  cold  hand. 

"  Where  is  Miss  Pendleton  ?  I  did  not  see  her  as  I  came 
up  the  passage,"  inquired  the  doctor,  after  he  had  looked  at 
his  patient. 

"  The  warden's  darter  came  and  took  her  away  to  sleep 
m  her  room,  and  high  time  too,  poor  young  lady,  for  she 
was  about  worn  out,"  said  Miss  Tabby. 

The  doctor  took  a  seat  near  the  head  of  the  bed,  where 
he  could  watch  the  sick  woman. 

And  all  became  very  silent  in  the  cell,  until  at  length 
Miss  Tabby  spoke. 

"  What 's  that  roaring  ?  It  can 't  be  thunder  this  time 
o'  year." 

"  It  is  the  creek  swollen  by  the  rain.  I  understand  that 
it  is  very  high,  lashed  into  a  foam,"  answered  the  doctor. 

"  Oh,"  said  Miss  Tabby,  indifferently ;  and  all  became 
again  silent  in  the  cell  but  for  the  sound  of  many  waters 
heard  more  and  more  distinctly  even  through  the  heavy 
walls. 

At  length  the  doctor  arose  to  go.  He  made  a  final  care 
ful  examination  of  his  quiet  patient,  and  then,  turning  to 
her  distressed  husband,  said : 

"  I  must  ask  you  to  go  out  with  me,  Mr.  Berners,  to 
bring  back  some  medicine  for  your  wife,  which  I  wish  to 
put  up  at  my  office." 

Lyon  Berners  silently  arose  and  took  up  his  hat.  And 
the  two  gentlemen  left  the  cell  together. 

The  warden  had  gone  to  bed,  but  had  left  orders  with 
the  night-watch  to  let  the  visitors  out  when  they  wished  to 

go- 
Once  more  the  heavy  bars  fall,  and  the  thick  doors  were 
opened. 


260  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

"  Heaven  and  earth  !  what  a  night !  "  exclaimed  the  loo- 
tor,  as  he  buttoned  his  surtout  tightly  across  his  breast,  and 
prepared  to  brave  the  fury  of  the  storm. 

Lyon  Berners,  scarcely  conscious  of  the  state  of  the 
weather,  followed  him. 

It  was  now  dawn,  and  the  black  sky  had  faded  to  a  dark 
gray. 

The  rain  was  pouring  down  as  if  all  "  the  gates  of 
heaven  "  had  been  opened  for  another  deluge. 

The  river  and  the  creek  lashed  to  fury,  were  roaring  and 
rushing  onward,  like  devouring  monsters. 

"  Merciful  Heaven !  Talk  of  the  fury  of  fire,  but  look 
here ! "  exclaimed  the  doctor,  glancing  aronnd.  But  his 
voice  was  lost  in  the  sound  of  many  waters. 

Their  road,  after  passing  the  outer  gates  of  the  prison, 
lay  away  from  the  banks  of  the  creek,  and  down  the  course 
of  the  river,  towards  the  village. 

But  for  the  darkness  of  that  stormy  dawn  they  might 
have  seen  a  fearful  sight  below.  The  lower  portion  of  the 
town  was  already  overflowed,  and  the  waters  were  still  ris 
ing.  Many  of  the  people  were  gathered  upon  the  house 
tops,  and  others  were  out  in  boats,  engaged  in  rescuing 
their  neighbors  from  the  flooded  dwellings. 

But  for  the  horrible  roaring  of  the  torrents,  they  might 
have  heard  the  shouts  and  cries  of  the  terrified  inhabitants 
shocked  and  half-frenzied  by  the  suddenness  of  this  over 
whelming  calamity. 

But  they  heard  and  saw  but  little  of  this  as  they 
plunged  on  through  the  darkness,  in  the  deluge  of  rain 
and  thunder  of  waters.  Unawares  they  were  drawing  near 
their  fate.  They  came  upon  it  gradually. 

"  Good  Heaven  !  what  is  the  matter  down  there  ?  "  sud 
denly  cried  the  doctor,  as  he  dimly  discerned  the  forms  of 
men,  women,  and  children  gathered  upon  the  house-tops, 
which  did  not  look  like  house-tops,  but  like  flat-boats  float 
ing  upon  the  dark  waters. 


THE      GEEAT     VALLEY     STORM.  261 

"  I  say,  Berners,  what  the  deuce  is  the  matter  down 
there  ?  Your  eyes  are  younger  than  min>e — look,"  anx 
iously  insisted  the  doctor,  peering  down  into  the  gloomy 
and  horrible  chaos. 

"  It  is  a  flood.  The  river  is  over  the  town,"  replied  Mr. 
Berners,  carelessly ;  for  he,  in  his  grief,  would  not  have 
minded  if  the  whole  of  the  Black  Valley  had  been  turned 
into  a  black  sea. 

"  The  river  over  the  town  !  Good  Heaven !  And  you 
say  that  as  indifferently  as  if  hundreds  of  human  lives  and 
millions  of  money  were  not  imperilled,"  cried  the  doctor, 
breaking  away  from  his  companion,  and  running  down 
towards  the  village. 

A  terrible,  a  heart-crushing  sight  met  his  eyes  ! 

The  doctor's  family  occupied  a  beautiful  low-roofed  villa 
on  the  opposite  bank  of  Violet  Run,  a  little  stream  of 
water  making  up  from  the  Black  Eiver.  The  doctor's  first 
thought  was  of  his  own  home,  of  course,  and  he  ran 
swiftly  on,  through  darkness  and  storm,  until  he  was  sud 
denly  brought  up  on  the  banks  of  the  run.  Here  he  stood 
aghast.  The  pretty  rustic  bridge  that  had  spanned  the 
run,  and  led  to  his  own  terraced  grounds,  was  swept  away ; 
and  the  run,  now  swollen  to  the  size  of  a  raging  river, 
roared  between  himself  and  his  home. 

His  home  ! — where  was  it  ? 

He  strained  his  aching  eyes  through  the  murky  gloom  to 
look  for  it,  and  oh  !  horror  of  horrors !  his  terraced  garden 
and  his  low-roofed  villa  had  disappeared,  and  in  their  place 
wliat  seemed  a  raft,  with  human  beings  on,  floated  about  at 
the  mercy  of  the  flood. 

With  a  pang  of  despair,  he  recognized  it  as  his  own 
house-top,  with  probably  his  wife  and  children  clinging  to 
it;  and  at  the  same  instant  the  raft,  or  roof,  was  violently 
whirled  around,  and  swept  under  by  the  force  of  the 
current. 


262  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

With  a  cry  of  desperation,  the  wretched  husband  and 
father  flung  up  his  anus  to  leap  into  the  boiling  flood,  when 
he  was  caught  from  behind  and  held  fast. 

"  What  would  you  do  ?  Hush  to  certain  destruction  ?  " 
said  the  voice  of  Lyon  Berners,  who  had  just  reached  the 
spot. 

"  My  wife !  my  children ! "  shrieked  the  man,  dashing 
his  hands  to  his  head. 

"Come  back,  or  you  will  be  swept  away,"  said  Mr. 
Berners,  forcibly  drawing  him  from  the  spot  just  an  instant 
before  the  water  rolled  over  it. 

And  still  the  rain  poured  down  like  another  deluge,  and 
still  the  waters  roared  and  the  waters  rose,  and  dark  night 
hung  over  the  dawn. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE   GREAT  VALLEY   FLOOD. 

The  rearinsr  rirer,  backward  pressed, 

Shook  all  her  trembling  banks  amain. 
Then  madly  at  the  eygre's  breast 

Flung  op  her  weltering  walls  again. 
Then  banks  came  down  with  ruin  and  rout, 
Theu  beaten  foam  flew  round  about. 
Then  all  the  mighty  floods  were  out. — JBAH  IKGELOW. 

MEANWHILE  the  worried  and  angry  prison  guard  had 
barred  up  the  doors  for  the  last  time  that  night,  to  remain 
barred,  as  they  said,  against  all  comers  until  the  usual  hour 
of  opening  next  day ;  and  then  they  went  to  bed,  and  to 
sleep,  little  dreaming  of  the  mighty  power  that  would  force 
an  entrance  before  the  light. 

Left  alone  in  the  prison  cell  to  watch  her  sleeping 
patient,  Miss  Tabby  sat  and  whimpered  over  the  baby, 
which  she  still  held  in  her  lap. 

Sometimes  she  listened  to  the  roarii>g  of  the  river  out- 


THE  GREAT  VALLEY  FLOOD.     263 

side,  and  sometimes  she  muttered  to  herself  after  tne 
manner  of  lonely  old  ladies. 

"  Oh,  indeed  I  do  wish  they  would  come.  One  on  'em, 
at  any  rate  !  Oh,  it 's  horrid  to  be  left  alone  here  in  this 
dissolute  place,  with  a  dying  'oman,  and  she  my  own  dear 
nurse  child,"  she  whined,  wringing  and  twisting  her  fin 
gers,  and  looking  from  the  face  of  the  sleeping  babe  to  that 
of  the  unconscious  mother. 

"  Oh,  to  think  of  my  own  dear  father  a-dying  at  a 
distance,  and  I  never  to  see  him  alive  no  more  in  this 
world  !  "  she  burst  forth,  sobbing  and  crying. 

"  And  oh,  good  Lord  in  heaven,  what  an  awful  night !  I 
never  did  see  sich  a  night  in  my  life,  with  the  rain  pouring 
and  pouring  barrels  full  in  a  stream,  and  the  river  roaring 
around  the  house  like  a  whole  drove  of  lions ! "  she 
exclaimed,  shuddering  from  head  to  foot. 

"  And  an  endless  night  as  it  is,  oh,  my  goodness !  But 
it  must  be  near  morning ;  I  do  think  it  must  be  near 
morning,"  she  finally  said,  as  she  arose  and  laid  the  baby 
on  the  bed  beside  its  mother,  and  then  went  to  the  window 
to  look  out  for  the  dawn. 

She  started  back  with  a  cry  of  terror,  and  sank  upon  the 
nearest  seat. 

The  cell,  as  I  told  you,  was  in  the  angle  of  the  building, 
and  had  two  windows — the  one  looking  down  upon  Black 
River,  and  the  other  upon  Bird  Creek.  Miss  Tabby  had 
peeped  from  that  one  which  overlooked  Bird  Creek. 

Day  had  dawned  darkly  and  dimly,  but  the  solitary 
woman  saw  enough  to  curdle  her  blood  with  horror. 

The  river  and  the  creek,  lashed  to  fury,  had  swollen  so 
high  that  they  were  now  merged,  into  one  body  of  water, 
pnd  had  risen  nearly  to  the  second  story  of  the  building. 
If  Miss  Tabby  could  have  put  her  arm  through  the  grated 
window,  she  might  easily  have  reached  down  and  dipped 
her  hand  in  the  rising  water,  for  it  was  rising  so  fast  that 
she  could  almos-t  see  it  mount. 


264  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  Oh,  my  good  gracious  alive  ! "  she  cried,  as  she  fell 
back  on  the  chair — "  it's  a  flood  !  It's  a  flood  like  that  I 
heard  mother  talk  about,  which  carried  away  the  mills  in 
ninety.  It's  a  flood  !  it's  a  flood !  And  we  shall  all  be 
drownded  in  this  horrid  cell,  like  blind  kittens  in  a  tub  ! " 

And  made  desperate  by  terror,  the  old  woman  started  up, 
and  rushed  to  the  barred  and  bolted  door  of  the  cell,  and 
rapped  and  kicked  with  all  her  might,  and  threw  herself 
against  it,  and  called,  loudty  and  frantically : 

"  HELP  !  MURDER  !  MURDER  !  HELP  !  Take  us  out,  or 
we'll  all  be  drownded  in  ten  minutes ! " 

But  bolts  and  bars  resisted  all  her  strength,  and  the  noise 
of  winds  and  waters  drowned  her  voice.  And  the  same 
cause  that  rendered  others  deaf  to  her  frenzied  cries  for 
help,  prevented  her  from  hearing  the  sounds  of  terror  and 
confusion  that  came  up  from  the  story  below — the  groaning 
and  crying  of  men  locked  up  in  their  cells  ;  the  calling  and 
shouting  of  warden  and  watchmen,  rushing  from  corridor  to 
corridor  to  release  the  prisoners  from  their  imminent  peril  ; 
the  clattering  of  feet,  the  mingling  of  voices ;  in  short,  all 
the  discordant  notes  that  go  to  make  up  the  infernal  concert 
of  a  crowd  surprised  and  maddened  by  sudden  and  general 
disaster. 

There  was  also  another  reason  why  Miss  Tabby's  cries 
for  help  could  not  be  heard.  Sybil  Berbers  was  the  one 
solitary  prisoner  in  tlria  long  and  remote  corridor.  Her 
door  was  barred  and  bolted  fast,  and  it  w*as  not  deemed 
necessary  to  leave  a  night  watch  on  duty  near  it.  Thus,  if 
they  should  happen  to  be  forgotten  in  the  general  panic, 
they  would  certainly  be  drowned ;  for  evi-u  if  the  thunder 
of  waters,  and  the  shouting  of  men,  and  crashing  of  tim 
bers,  had  been  less  deafening  and  distracting,  Miss  Tabby's 
voice  would  still  have  failed  to  reach  the  ears  of, the  distaut 
turnkeys. 

From  her  fruitless  efforts  at  the  barred  door,  she  rushed 


THE      GREAT      VALLEY      FLOOD.  265 

in  desperation  to  the  grated  window.  With  a  fearful  shriek 
she  threw  her  hands  to  her  head,  and  rushed  away  again. 
The  surrounding  waters  had  risen  within  a  foot  of  the  win 
dow  sill !  She  filled  the  air  of  the  cell  with  her  shrieks,  as 
she  rushed  madly  ahout  from  wall  to  wall,  like  a  frenzied 
screaming  macaw,  heating  itself  against  the  bars  of  its 
cage. 

"  To  lie  drownded  here  in  the  cell  like  a  cat  in  a  tub ! 
To  be  drownded  like  a  cat  in  a  tub  ! "  was  the  burden  of 
her  death  song. 

And  through  all  this  Sybil  slept  the  sleep  of  coma. 

Suddenly  the  young  babe  awoke  and  added  its  shrill  and 
feeble  pipes  to  the  horrible  uproar. 

The  old  maid  had  all  a  mother's  tenderness  in  her  heart. 
In  the  midst  of  her  own  agony  of  terror  she  ceased  to 
scream,  and  went  and  took  the  babe  and  cried  gently  over 
its  fate,  murmuring : 

"  Only  a  few  hours  old,  and  to  die  in  this  horrible  den, 
my  babe  !  Oh,  my  babe  !  And  you  not  even  baptized  ! 
Oh,  my  goodness,  not  even  baptized  !  What  shall  I  do  ? 
Oh  !  what  shall  I  do?  Let  you  die  without  baptism?  Oh, 
no,  no  !  I  never  did  baptize  a  child  in  my  life,  which  I 
know  I'm  all  unworthy  to  do  it !  But — but,  I  know  the 
church  allows  any  one  to  christen  a  child  in  danger  of  death. 
And  so,  my  baby  !  Oh  !  my  poor  baby  ! "  And  her  voice 
broke  down  in  tears  as  she  bore  the  child  to  a  table  where 
there  was  a  pitcher  of  water. 

Very  humbly  and  reverently  the  old  maid  performed  the 
sacred  ceremony  that  her  faith  taught  her  was  essential  to 
the  child's  salvation.  And  she  gave  it  the  first  name  that 
came  into  her  head — "  Mary." 

"  There  !  now  you  are  ready  to  go,  my  baby  !  Not  that 
—that  I  really  think  the  good  Lord  would  ever  keep  you, 
my  innocent  one,  out  of  His  heaven,  merely  because  you 
wasn't  christened!  No,  no,  I  don't  believe  that  either! 


266  TRIED     FOE     HER     LIFE. 

But  still  it 's  best  to  be  on  tbe  safe  side,  when  it  'a  so  easy  as 
sprinkling  a  little  water  and  speaking  a  few  words ! — 
HUSH  !  I  do  believe  they  are  coming  to  let  us  out  at  last ! " 
exclaimed  Miss  Tabby,  breaking  off  from  her  monologue, 
as  through  all  the  general  uproar  a  crashing  sound  close  at 
hand  smote  upon  her  ear ! 

She  hastily  laid  the  child  upon  the  bed,  and  hurried  to 
the  door.  No  one  was  there,  and  the  bolts  and  bars  were 
fast  as  ever.  But  before  she  could  turn  around  the  window 
fell  in  with  a  tremendous  clatter  and  bang — glass  and  grat 
ing  ringing  and  shattering  upon  the  floor. 

Miss  Tabby  recoiled  and  squeezed  herself  against  the 
wall  in  the  corner.  She  thought  the  window  had  been 
beaten  in  by  the  water,  and  she  expected  the  flood  to 
follow. 

But  a  tall  man  in  dark  clothing  leaped  through  the  open 
ing,  striking  the  floor  with  a  rebound,  and  then  stood  up 
and  gazed  around  the  dimly  lighted  cell. 

His  eyes  fell  upon  Sybil,  as  she  lay  in  coma  on  the  bed. 

"  All  right,  Raphael !  You  were  correct.  This  is  the 
cell,  and  here  she  is.  Come  ! "  and  he  called  to  some  one 
without. 

A  second  figure,  younger  and  slighter,  jumped  through 
the  open  window  into  the  cell,  and  stood,  like  the  first  had 
done,  peering  around  through  the  semi-darkness. 

"  Haste,  Raphael !  You  were  swift-footed  enough  to 
bring  her  here !  Try  to  be  almost  as  swift-footed  to  bear 
her  hence  ! "  cried  the  first  man,  seizing  the  form  of  Sybil 
and  wrapping  it  hastily  in  the  upper  quilt. 

As  he  was  doing  this,  something  rolled  over  and  cried. 

Hallo  !     Here 's  a  baby  !     I  never  bargained  for  that ! " 
exclaimed  the  man  in  astonishment. 

"  It  is  her  baby,  father — the  baby  for  whose  sake  the 
governor  prolonged  her  life.  Let  me  take  it,"  pleaded  the 
youth. 


THE   GKEAT  VALLEY   FLOOD.     267 

"Why  the  demon  didn't  you  tell  me  about  this  before  ?  " 
angrily  demanded  the  elder,  while  carefully  wrapping  up 
the  patient. 

"  I  knew  no  more  than  yourself,  father.  You  knew,  as  I 
and  everybody  did,  that  this  child  was  expected,  and  that 
the  governor  respited  the  mother  for  its  sake ;  but  I  did  n't 
know  it  had  arrived  until  you  spoke  of  it,"  said  the  youth. 

"  Ah  !  you  are  more  quick-witted  than  I,"  laughed  the 
man  sarcastically. 

"  Let  me  take  care  of  the  babe,  father,"  pleaded  the  boy. 

"  Why  ?  " 

"  Because  it  must  be  rescued  with  her." 

"Why,  again?" 

"  Because  she  would  break  her  heart  without  it." 

"  How  do  you  know  ?  " 

"  Oh,  father,  even  a  bird  loves  its  birdling ;  and  of  course 
this  tender-hearted  lady  loves  her  little  one." 

"  She  do  n't  seem  to  love  anything  now,  or  even  to  know 
anything.  She  is  as  stupid  and  lifeless  as  anything  I  ever 
saw  that  lived  and  breathed.  She  is  under  the  influence  of 
opium,  I  should  think,'''  said  the  man,  who  had  now  the 
form  of  the  unconscious  woman  well  wound  around  with  the 
quilt  and  laid  over  his  breast  and  shoulder. 

"  Oh,  no,  she  an't,  sir  !  no,  she  an't — no  sich  a  thing,  sir ! 
But  she 's  been  in  this  here  comotious  condition,  knowing 
nothing  nor  nobody,  ever  since  the  baby  arrove ! "  said 
Miss  Tabby,  coming  from  her  concealment,  for  she  saw  in 
these  two  men  only  benevolent  individuals  who  had  come  to 
deliver  her  and  her  lady. 

"  Who  the  demon  are  you  ?  "  demanded  the  elder,  turn 
ing  sharply  towards  her. 

'•  I  an't  no  demon,  sir !  though  I  am  mistreated  all  as  if 
I  was  one,"  whimpered  Miss  Tabby. 

"  Then  who  are  you  ?  " 

"  I  'm  her  poor,  faithful,  inisfortuuate  nurse,  sir,"  sniv 
elled  Miss  Tabby. 


2G8  TRIED      FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  Oh,  you  are  ! — Raphael,  take  the  child  into  the  boat ! 
Never  mind  the  old  woman ;  let  her  drown ! "  said  the 
elder  man,  laughing  savagely. 

"  Oh,  sir,  do  n't  you  do  that !  Do  n't  you  leave  me  here 
to  drown,  sir !  to  die  such  a  dismal  death  in  this  dark 
den  !  "  pleaded  Miss  Tabby,  catching  hold  of  the  man's 
coat-tails. 

"  Go  to  the  devil ! "  exclaimed  the  stranger,  trying  to 
shake  her  off. 

"  But  I  an't  prepared  to  go,  sir,  indeed  I  an't,"  persisted 
Miss  Tabby,  holding  on. 

"  Go  ahead,  Raphael — I'm  coming  !  And,  confound  you, 
so  is  the  water  !  It  will  be  too  late  in  another  minute  I  " 
savagely  exclaimed  the  man,  succeeding  now  in  shaking 
himself  free. 

"  Oh,  sir !  for  pity's  sake,  sir,  do  n't  leave  me  here  to 
drown  !  How  can  you  resky  the  mother  and  child,  and 
leave  a  poor  lone  'oman  like  me  to  die  ?  How  can  you,  sir  ? 
Resky  me,  for  your  own  blessed  mother's  sake  !  Oh  !  3roung 
gentleman,  beg  for  me !  do  n't  leave  me  ! "  prayed  Miss 
Tabby,  turning  from  the  elder  to  the  younger  man. 

"  Go  on,  Raphael !  "  shouted  the  man. 

But  the  youth  hesitated. 

"  Father,"  he  said,  "  that  old  woman  was  kind  to  me. 
Save  her !  there  is  room  enough  in  the  boat." 

"  Oh  !  you  darling  sweet  Master  Raphael !  Is  it  yourself 
that  is  there  ?  "  exclaimed  Miss  Tabby,  delightedly.  "  Is 
it  yourself  indeed  ?  Oh,  tell  the  gentleman  what  a  faithful 
servant  I  have  been,  and  how  my  young  lady  loved  me  I 
and  how  she  'd  fret  herself  to  death  if  I  was  to  be  drownded, 
all  through  coming  to  her  help  in  her  trouble  to-uight !  " 
pleaded  the  poor  creature,  clasping  her  hands. 

"  Father,  bring  her  off,  for  our  sakes,  if  not  for  her  own," 
said  the  boy,  diplomatically  ;  "  for  if  we  leave  her  here,  and 
she  should  be  saved  by  others,  she  may  betray  our  secret." 


THE   GREAT   VALLEY   FLOOD.     269 

"  That  is  true,"  admitted  the  elder  man.  "  So  we  will 
save  the  poor  old  wretch,  but  only  upon  conditions.  Here, 
you  old  devil !  "  he  called,  turning  to  the  woman. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  Miss  Tabby,  opening  and  clasping  her 
hands. 

"  If  I  take  you  off  in  the  boat  to-night,  and  drop  you 
down  safe  somewhere  on  dry  land,  will  you  promise  never  to 
tell  any  living  soul  who  rescued  you  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir!  yes,  sir!  and  swear  to  it  on  the  Bible!  which 
there  is  one  on  the  table  handy,  sir ! "  eagerly  assented 
Miss  Tabby. 

"  And  will  you  also  promise  never  to  speak  of  our  visit  to 
this  cell  to-night  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir  !  yes,  sir !  and  swear  to  it !  " 

"  And  never  to  mention  how  Mrs.  Berners  and  her  child 
were  saved  ?  " 

"  Oh  yes,  sir !  " 

"  Nor  even  that  she  was  saved  at  all  ?  " 

"  Oh  yes,  sir !  and  swear  to  it ! " 

"  And  you  will  never  betray  the  secret,  by  word  or 
sign  ?  " 

"  No,  sir  ! " 

"  But  keep  it  to  the  day  of  your  death  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir ! " 

"  Get  the  book,  then,  and  take  the  oath.  Kaphael,  take 
the  child  to  the  boat  and  lay  it  on  the  blankets  there,  and 
then  come  back  and  help  the  woman  off.  And,  good 
Heaven !  make  haste !  We  must  get  away  from  here 
immediately.  I  hear  footsteps  along  the  corridor !  Some 
one  is  coming  !  Haste  !  We  must  not  allow  Sybil  Berners 
to  be  rescued  through  the  door.  That  would  be  worse  than 
being  left  to  drown  !  Haste,  I  say  !  "  exclaimed  the  man, 
speaking  rapidly  and  excitedly  as  he  caught  up  another 
quilt  and  cast  it  over  Sybil's  form,  and  hurried  with  her 
towards  the  open  window. 


270  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

There  was  indeed  the  most  pressing  need  of  haste,  for 
more  reasons  than  one:  the  rising  waters  were  now  oozing 
through  the  stone  walls  and  covering  the  floor  inside,  while 
outside  the  flood  was  almost  up  to  the  window  sill.  In  a 
very  few  moments  it  would  overflow  the  place. 

Raphael  laid  the  child  down  where  he  had  been  told  to 
put  her,  and  then  ran  back  into  the  cell  to  help  Miss  Tabby, 
who  had  faithfully  taken  the  oath  required  of  her. 

The  elder  man  laid  his  insensible  burden  in  the  boat,  and 
then  climbed  in  after  her. 

The  last  was  a  difficult  feat,  for  the  water  was  brimming 
to  the  window  sill,  and  the  boat  was  above  it. 

As  the  man  stepped  into  the  boat,  his  weight  caused  it  to 
tip  so  much  that  it  cast  a  shower  into  the  cell. 

Miss  Tabby  shrieked  out  that  she  was  going  to  be 
drowned,  although  not  a  drop  of  water  had  touched  her. 

Raphael  soothed  her  and  helped  her  into  the  boat,  and 
put  her  in  a  seat  near  the  elder  man. 

"That's  the  thing!  Now  do  you  support  this  lady's 
head  on  your  lap,  for  I  shall  have  to  row,"  said  the  man,  as 
he  transferred  Sybil  Berners  from  his  own  arms  to  Miss 
Tabby's,  and  then  took  up  the  oar. 

Raphael  took  up  the  other  oar,  and  they  were  rowing 
away  from  the  prison  walls  when  their  attention  was 
attracted  by  the  sound  of  a  dog's  whining  in  the  cell. 
They  looked  up  and  saw  Sybil's  little  Skye  terrier  on  the 
window  sill,  with  her  fore-paws  in  the  water.  And  at  the 
same  instant  little  Nelly  struck  out,  swam  towards  them, 
jumped  into  the  boat,  and  nestled  at  her  mistress'  feet. 

The  rain  had  ceased,  and  the  clouds  were  breaking  away 
from  the  eastern  horizon,  where  the  first  crimson  streak 
heralded  the  rising  sun. 

They  rowed  swiftly  towards  the  heights,  which  now  ap 
peared  not  so  much  like  the  boundaries  of  a  valley  as  the 
hilly  shores  of  an  inland  sea. 


THE   GREAT   VALLEY   FLOOD.     271 

Yes,  the  Black  Valley  seemed  indeed  transformed  into  a 
black  lake,  surrounded  with  wooded  hills,  and  dotted  with 
wooded  isles ;  but  these  seeming  hills  were  really  mountains, 
and  these  seeming  isles  were  the  tops  of  submerged  trees. 

They  rowed  to  the  nearest  point  of  land  and  stopped  the 
boat,  where  a  little  path  led  up  the  steep  ascent. 

"  Do  you  see  that  path  ?  "  inquired  the  elder  man  of  the 
old  woman. 

"  Yes,  my  dear  gentleman,  I  do,"  said  Miss  Tabby. 

"  Do  you  know  where  it  leads  ?  " 

"  Yes,  my  dear  gentleman  ;  it  leads  to  a  cluster  of  quar- 
rymen's  cottages." 

"  Then  get  out  of  the  boat  and  go  up  there  ;  there  you 
will  find  shelter." 

"  But,  my  good  sir,  my  sick  lady  ?  "  inquired  Miss  Tab 
by,  hesitating. 

"Never  mind  her.  She  will  be  a  blamed  sight  better 
taken  care  of  by  us,  than  she  has  been  lately  by  any  of 
you  !  Come,  get  out  with  you  !  " 

"  But,  sir,  I  dare  n't  desert  my  sick  lady." 

"  I  'm  blest,  if  you  do  n't  get  out  of  this  boat  in  double 
quick  time,  if  I  do  n't  pitch  your  head  foremost  into  the 
water,  and  drown  you.  We  have  no  time  to  stop  here  fool 
ing  with  you  till  it  is  broad  daylight,"  said  the  man,  start 
ing  to  his  feet  as  if  about  to  put  his  threat  into  instant  exe 
cution. 

Miss  Tabby  jumped  up  and  scuttled  out  of  the  boat  as 
fast  as  she  could  go,  without  even  having  stopped  to  kiss 
her  lady  "goodbye." 

And  this  was  the  last  Miss  Tabby  saw  or  heard  of  Sybil 
Berners  for  many  long  years. 


272  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 


CHAPTER   XXVI. 

AFTER     THE     DISASTER. 

That  flow  strewed  wrecks  about  the  grass ; 

That  ebb  swept  oat  the  flocks  to  sea. 
A  fatal  ebb  and  flow,  alas ! 

To  many  more  than  mine  and  me. — JEAK  INGELOW. 

THE  day  after  the  terrible  disaster  the  sun  arose  upon  a 
scene  of  awful  desolation  ! 

Great  was  the  devastation  of  lands  and  dwellings,  and 
the  destruction  of  life  and  property,  by  the  memorable 
Black  Valley  flood ! 

The  Black  Valley  itself,  from  its  very  form,  position,  and 
circumstances,  seemed  doomed  to  suffer  tremendously  from 
such  a  disaster. 

It  was  a  long,  deep,  and  narrow  valley,  shut  in  by  two 
high  mountain  ridges,  which  interlocked  in  rude  rocky  pre 
cipices  at  its  higher  extremity,  where  the  Black  Torrent, 
dashing  down  the  steeps,  formed  the  head  of  the  Black  River, 
which,  fed  by  many  other  mountain  springs,  ran  down  the 
whole  length  of  the  valley,  and  past  the  village  of  Black- 
ville  at  its  lower  end. 

By  the  fatal  deluge  of  rain,  all  the  mountain  springs 
were  raised  to  torrents,  and  the  Black  Torrent  was  swollen 
to  a  cataract,  and  all  poured  down  vast  floods  of  water  into 
the  Black  River,  which  rose  and  overflowed  its  banks  even 
to  the  mountains'  side ;  so  that  the  Black  Valley  became  a 
black  lake. 

The  advance  of  the  day,  and  the  retreat  of  the  waters, 
showed  at  length  the  full  extent  of  the  disaster. 

The  dwellings  in  the  valley,  and  in  the  village  at  its  foot, 
were  nearly  all  swept  away.  Only  the  strongest  buildings, 
and  those  on  the  highest  grounds,  escaped  destruction. 

The  hotel,  the  court-house,  and  the  ohurch,  were  each 
damaged,  but  not  destroyed. 


AFTER     THE     DISASTER.  273 

The  prison  was  carried  away,  and  several  of  the  prisoners 
drowned. 

The  family  of  Dr.  Hart  were  saved.  Though  more  than 
once  submerged,  they  clung  to  the  floating  roof,  until  they 
were  carried  down  into  calmer  waters,  where  they  were 
picked  up  by  the  men  who  were  out  in  boats  to  rescue  the 
drowning. 

The  Black  Hall  Manor  suffered  severely.  The  Hall  itself 
was  too  strongly  built,  and  upon  too  high  ground,  to  be  even 
endangered ;  but  its  detached  offices  and  laborers'  cottages 
were  swept  away  by  the  flood.  Their  inmates  happily  had 
saved  themselves  by  speedy  flight  up  the  mountain  side,  and 
were  found  the  next  day  safe  at  Black  Hall,  where  they  had 
taken  refuge. 

But  the  sunlight  also  discovered  many  more  wretches 
made  homeless  by  the  flood,  and  now  sitting  and  shudder 
ing  upon  the  rocks,  up  and  down  the  mountain  sides. 

But  the  dwellings  of  all  those  who  had  been  so  fortunate 
as  to  escape  injury  by  the  flood,  were  freely  opened  to 
receive  the  homeless  sufferers. 

It  was  late  in  the  day  before  the  condition  of  the  ground 
enabled  Lyon  Berners,  attended  by  some  villagers,  to  seek 
the  site  of  the  late  prison. 

Not  a  vestige  of  the  building  remained.  The  very  spot 
on  which  it  had  once  stood  was  unrecognizable — a  vast  mo 
rass  of  mud  and  wreck. 

The  warden  and  his  family,  with  Miss  Pendleton  and  a 
few  of  the  officers  of  the  prison,  were  found  about  a  mile 
beyond  the  scene,  grouped  together  on  a  high  hill,  and 
utterly  overcome,  in  mind  and  body,  by  the  combined  influ 
ences  of  cold  and  hunger,  grief  and  horror. 

"For  the   Lord's   sake,  where   is   my   wife?   where   is 
Sybil  ?  "  anxiously  inquired  Lyon  Berners,  though  scarcely 
knowing  whether  he  hoped  or  feared  she  might  be  alive. 
17 


274  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

Beatrix  Pendleton,  who  had  sat  with  her  head  bowed 
down  upon  her  knees,  now  raised  it  and  said  : 

"  Heaven  knows !  I  tried  to  make  them  go  and  save 
her ;  but  they  would  not !  I  refused  to  leave  the  prison 
without  her,  but  they  forced  me  on  the  boat." 

"  We  could  n't  have  saved  her,"  spoke  the  warden ; 
"  her  cell  was  right  at  the  corner  of  the  building,  at  the 
joining  of  the  creek  and  the  river.  It  was  overflowed  be 
fore  we  got  there,  and  the  water,  which  must  a  busted  in 
the  window,  was  a  rushing  down  the  corridor  and  filling  up 
the  place  so  fast,  that  we  had  to  run  up  the  stairs  to  the 
next  story  to  save  our  own  lives." 

"  Heaven's  will  be  done  ! "  groaned  Lyon  Berners,  who, 
heart-broken  as  he  was,  scarcely  understood  or  believed  the 
warden's  explanation,  or  knew  whether  he  himself  were 
merely  resigned,  or  really  rejoiced  that  his  wife  had  met 
this  fate  now,  rather  than  lived  to  await  a  still  more  horri 
ble  one. 

"  And  the  poor  woman  who  was  attending  her,  and  the 
young  child,  have  also  perished?"  added  Mr.  Berners, 
after  a  pause,  and  in  an  interrogative  tone. 

Beatrix  nodded  sadly,  and  the  warden  said  : 

"  Yes,  sir,  of  course,  which  they  all  three  being  in  the 
cell  together,  shared  the  same  fate !  And  if  we  could  a 
reskeed  one,  we  could  a  reskeed  all ! " 

"  And  where  are  your  other  prisoners  ? "  inquired  Mr. 
Berners. 

tl  Some  on  'em  was  drownded,  sir,  unavoidably.  And  some 
on  'em  we  reskeed  by  taking  of  'em  through  the  windows, 
and  on  to  the  boat ;  but  Lord  love  you,  sir,  they  give  us  leg 
bail  the  first  chance  they  got ;  which  who  could  blame 
them  ?  Most  on  them  as  we  reskeed  has  made  off  up  the 
mountain,  sir ;  and  little  use  it  would  be  to  try  to  catch 
them,  sir,  even  if  we  succeeded,  seeing  as  we  have  got  no 
place  to  lock  'em  up.  And  as  for  me,  my  '  okkerpation  'a 


AFTER     THE      DISASTER.  275 

gone/  as  the  man  says  in  the  play  !  But  I  'm  not  thinking 
of  myself,  sir.  I  'm  mortal  sorry  for  the  poor  wretches  called 
so  sudden  to  their  accounts,"  added  the  warden,  brushing  the 
tears  from  his  eyes  with  the  sleeve  of  his  coat. 

"  Come,  Martin,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  who,  even  in  the 
midst  of  his  own  despair,  could  not  forget  the  claims  of  hu 
manity — "  Come,  Martin  !  You  and  your  companions  in 
misfortune  cannot  sit  here  longer  without  great  danger  to 
health  and  life  !  You  must  get  up  and  come  away.  The 
road,  though  very  difficult,  is  passable,  you  see,  since  we 
come  by  it.  Come  away !  " 

"  Come  where  ?  To  the  alms-house,  I  suppose," 
groaned  the  warden,  dropping  his  head  in  his  hands. 

"  My  poor  fellow,  the  alms-house  has  gone  with  the  rest. 
There  is  no  alms-house  now." 

"  Then  we  may  as  well  stay  here  and  die ;  for  there  is  no 
other  place  for  us  to  go,"  groaned  the  ruined  man. 

"  There  are  half  a  hundred  places  to  go  to.  Every  house 
that  has  been  spared  by  the  flood  has,  in  gratitude  to 
Heaven,  opened  its  doors  to  receive  those  who  are  rendered 
homeless  by  this  disaster.  Come,  my  good  friend ;  come 
with  your  companions  to  the  village  hotel.  A  number  of 
us  who  have  lost  no  property  by  the  flood,  have  already 
clubbed  together  for  the  relief  of  those  who  have  lost  all. 
Come  !  if  you  sit  here  longer  you  will  surely  catch  your 
death. 

The  warden  arose  with  a  groan ;  and  his  example  was 
followed  by  all  his  comrades. 

"  My  dear  Beatrix,  take  my  arm,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  help 
ing  Miss  Pendleton  to  rise. 

"  My  brother !  Where  is  my  brother  ?  He  was  far  enough 
off  to  be  safe  from  the  flood  ;  but  why  is  he  not  here  now. 

"  My  dear  Beatrix,  he  could  not  possibly  get  here  yet. 
As  soon  as  the  water  shall  have  settled  he  will  come,  no 
doubt,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  as  he  led  her  down  the  hill  towards 
the  village. 


276  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

The  road  was  very  bad.  In  some  places  it  was  nearly 
half  a  leg  deep  in  pools  of  water,  or  in  mud.  But  they 
reached  the  half-ruined  village  at  length.  And  Mr.  Ber 
ners,  accompanied  by  the  whole  party,  took  Miss  Pendleton 
to  the  hotel  to  await  the  arrival  of  her  brother. 

All  the  sufferers  were  hospitably  received  by  the  land 
lord's  family,  who  furnished  them  with  dry  clothing,  warm 
meals,  and  good  lodging. 

But  it  was  not  until  evening  that  the  subsidence  of  the 
waters  permitted  Captain  Pendleton  to  make  his  way  down 
the  valley  to  the  village,  to  look  after  his  sister. 

The  meeting  between  the  brother  and  sister  was  very 
affecting. 

Beatrix  wept  on  his  shoulder. 

"  Thank  Heaven,  you  are  safe,  my  dear  sister ! "  were 
among  the  first  words  that  he  said. 

"  Yes  ;  I  am  safe,  I  am  safe,  Clement.  But  she  is  lost  I 
Oh,  Clement,  she  is  lost!"  cried  Beatrix,  bursting  into 
tears. 

Captain  Pendleton  started,  and  looked  up  to  the  face  of 
Mr.  Berners,  as  if  asking  for  a  confirmation  or  contradiction 
of  these  words. 

Lyon  Berners  sorrowfully  bent  his  head,  and  then  turned 
away  to  conceal  the  strong  emotion  which  he  could  no 
longer  control. 

It  was  not  until  the  next  morning  that  the  waters  had 
gone  down  sufficiently  to  enable  them  to  go  up  the  valley  as 
far  as  Black  Hall. 

And  up  to  this  time  but  few  of  the  dead  bodies  of  the  vic 
tims  had  been  found ;  but  all  these  had  been  easily  recog 
nized,  and  were  now  prepared  for  burial. 

Mr.  Berners  engaged  special  agents  to  watch  for  the  ap 
pearance  of  Sybil's  body,  and  to  advise  him  the  moment  it 
should  be  discovered ;  and  then,  having  made  every  neces 
sary  provision,  in  case  of  its  recovery  during  his  absence,  for 


AFTER     THE     DISASTER.  277 

its  reception  at  the  church,  and  its  retention  there  until  his 
return,  he  set  out  for  Hlack  Hall,  accompanied  by  the  two 
Pendletons. 

As  no  carriage  could  possibly  pass  along  the  roads  in  their 
present  condition,  our  party  were  forced  to  go  on  horseback. 

After  a  heavy  and  tedious  ride  through  the  deep  mud  left 
by  the  flood,  they  reached  Black  Hall,  which  they  found 
half  full  of  refugees ;  and  where  they  were  warmly  welcomed 
by  their  faithful  servants,  who,  up  to  the  hour  of  their  arri 
val,  had  supposed  them  to  be  lost. 

But  then  came  the  question  : 

"  Where  is  Miss  Sybil  ?  "  asked  almost  in  a  breath  by 
Joe  and  Dilly  and  Aunt  Mopsa. 

And  grave  and  sorrowful  faces  answered,  even  before  the 
tongue  spoke : 

"  Lost  in  the  flood  !  " 

Then  for  a  time  loud  wailing  filled  the  house.  But  after 
a  while  it  ceased,  and  comparative  quiet  followed. 

"  Where  is  Eaphael  and  little  Cro'  ?  "  at  length  inquired 
Mr.  Berners. 

"  Raphael  ?  Bless  your  soul,  Marster,  Raphael  an't  been 
seen  in  this  house  since  you  yourself  left  it,"  answered  Joe. 

"  Then  I  am  very  much  afraid  the  poor  fellow  has  been 
lost,"  sighed  Mr.  Berners. 

And  then,  having  called  Dilly  to  show  Miss  Pendleton  to 
a  bedroom,  and  ordered  Joe  to  perform  the  same  service  for 
Captain  Pendleton,  Mr.  Berners  went  to  a  back  building  of 
the  house  in  which  the  poor  refugees  were  gathered. 

Here  he  found  the  people  in  great  distress,  mourning 
over  the  sudden  loss  of  all  their  worldly  goods. 

He  consoled  them  as  well  as  he  could ;  reminded  them 
that,  with  all  their  losses,  they  had  lost  no  members  of  their 
families,  and  promised  them  that  he  and  his  neighbors 
would  rebuild  and  refurnish  their  cottages,  and  finally  invit 
ing  them  to  stay  at  Black  Hall  until  this  should  be  accom 
plished. 


278  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

Thanks  and  blessings  followed  his  words,  and  then  he 
asked : 

"  Has  any  one  heard  from  my  old  overseer.  Winterose  ? 
His  house  stands  high,  and  I  suppose  that  it  is  safe." 

A  half  a  dozen  voices  answered  in  a  breath  : 

"  Law,  yes,  sir  ;  his  house  is  safe." 

"  He  's  had  a  stroke,  sir." 

"  They  thought  he  was  a  dying." 

"But  he  is  better  now  ;  and  his  wife,  who  is  a  good  judge, 
thinks  he  '11  get  over  it." 

"  It  gratifies  me  to  hear  this,  my  friends.  But  although, 
the  old  man's  house  is  safe,  he  has  met  with  a  much  greater 
misfortune  than  any  of  you  have  in  the  loss  of  all  you  pos 
sess,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  very  gravely. 

"  Law,  sir,  what  ?  "  inquired  a  dozen  voices  at  once. 

"  He  has  lost  his  eldest  daughter,"  answered  Lyon  Ber 
ners,  sadly. 

"  Who  ?  Miss  Tabby  ?  Law,  sir,  no  he  an  't  I " 

"  She  's  home,  fast  enough  !  " 

"  She  was  brought  home  by  a  quarryman  yesterday  morn 
ing." 

It  was  the  habit  of  these  people  to  talk  all  at  the  same 
time,  so  that  it  required  a  shrewd  listener  to  understand 
them. 

But  there  seemed  so  large  an  interest  at  stake  in  their 
present  communications,  that  Mr.  Berners  understood  even 
more  than  was  intended. 

"  Miss  Tabby  saved  ?  "  he  echoed. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  answered  a  score  of  voices. 

"  AND  WHO  WITH  HER  ?  " 

"  No  one  as  we  know's  on,  sir." 

"  No  one  ?  " 

"  No,  sir." 

"  How  was  she  saved  ?  " 

«  Do  u't  know,  sir." 


AFTEfi     THB     DISASTER.  279 

"  Nobody  knows,  sir." 

"  She  do  n't  even  know  herself,  sir." 

These  replies  were  all  made  in  a  breath. 

"Don't  even  know  herself!  What  is  the  meaning  of 
that  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir.  No,  sir.  You  see,  sir,"  began  half  a  hundred 
voices. 

"  Hush,  for  Heaven's  sake  !  Speak  one  at  a  time.  Mrs. 
Smith,  do  you  answer  me.  How  was  Miss  Tabby  saved  ?  " 
inquired  Lyon  Berners,  appealing  to  the  oldest  and  wisest 
woman  of  the  assembly,  and  silencing  the  others  by  a  ges 
ture. 

"  Indeed  we  do  n't  know  how  she  was  reskeed,  sir.  She 
was  brought  home  by  a  quarryman,  but,  she  was  in  a  cowld 
fever,  and  could  n't  give  no  account  of  herself,  nor  nothing," 
replied  the  old  woman. 

«  Where  is  she  ?  " 

"  Up  to  her  father's  house,  sir.     They  carried  her  there." 

"  I  must  go  there  and  see  her  at  once,"  said  Mr.  Bern 
ers,  seizing  his  hat  and  hurrying  from  the  house. 

He  walked  rapidly  through  the  kitchen  garden,  vineyard, 
orchard,  and  meadow,  to  the  edge  of  the  wood  where  the 
overseer's  cottage  stood. 

He  found  old  Mrs.  Winterose  with  her  hands  full. 

Mr.  Winterose,  who  three  days  before  had  had  a  paralytic 
stroke,  that  had  nearly  brought  him  to  the  grave,  had  now 
so  far  rallied  as  to  give  hopes  of  his  continued  life. 

He  lay  sleeping  on  a  neat  white  bed  in  the  lower  front 
room  of  the  cottage.  His  wife  was  tho  only  person  with 
him. 

She  came  forward  in  great  haste  to  meet  Mr.  Berners. 

"  Oh,  sir  !  "  she  cried,  "  my  child,  Miss  Sybil !  was  she 
reskeed  ?  " 

"  Ah,  Heaven  !  That  is  the  very  question  I  came  to  ask 
you,  or  rather  to  ask  Tabby,"  sighed  Mr.  Berners,  dropping 
into  a  chair. 


TRIED      FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  Oh,  sir !  Oh,  sir ! "  wept  the  old  nurse,  "  then  I  can  *t 
give  you  any  more  satisfaction  than  you  can  give  me ! 
Tabby  do  n't  know  nothink !  She  's  in  bed  up  stairs,  in  a 
fever,  and  outen  her  mind,  and  Libby  is  a  watching  of 
her." 

"  Does  she  talk  in  her  delirium  ?  " 

"  Talk  ?  Law,  sir,  she  do  n't  do  nothink  else  at  all ! 
Her  tongue  goes  like  a  mill-clapper  all  the  time  !  " 

"  Let  me  go  and  see  her.  Perhaps  by  her  rambling  talk 
I  may  gain  some  clue  to  my  poor  wife's  fate." 

"  I  'm  'fraid  you  won't,  sir.  /  an't  been  able  to  yet. 
But  you  're  welcome  to  come  up  and  see  her  if  you  will," 
said  the  old  woman,  rising  and  leading  the  way  to  a  neat 
room  overhead,  where  Miss  Tabby  lay  in  bed,  babbling  at 
random. 

Miss  Libby,  who  was  sitting  beside  her,  got  up  and 
courtesied,  and  made  way  for  Mr.  Berners,  who  came  for 
ward  and  bent  over  the  sick  woman,  spoke  to  her  kindly, 
and  inquired  how  she  felt. 

But  the  old  maid,  who  was  quite  delirious,  took  him  for 
the  sweetheart  of  her  young  days,  and  called  him  "  Jim," 
and  asked  him  how  he  dared  to  have  the  "  impidince  "  to 
come  into  a  young  lady's  room  before  she  was  up  in  the 
morning,  and  she  requested  Suzy — a  sister  who  had  long 
been  dead — to  turn  him  out  directly. 

But  though  Mr.  Berners  sat  by  her  and  succeeded  in 
soothing  her,  he  gained  no  information  from  her.  She  bab 
bled  of  everything  under  the  sun  but  the  one  subject  to 
which  he  wished  to  lead  her  thoughts. 

At  length,  in  despair,  Mr.  Berners  arose  to  depart. 

"  Where  does  that  quarryman  live  who  picked  her  up 
and  brought  her  home  ?  " 

"  Up  at  the  quarries,  sir,  to  be  sure." 

"  But  there  are  fifty  cottages  up  there,  scattered  over  the 
space  of  miles." 


AFTER     THE     DISASTEK.  281 

"Well,  sir,  it  is  in  the  whitish  stone  one,  the  nighest 
but  three  to  the  big  oak,  you  know ;  which  his  name  it  is 
Norriss,  as  you  can  find  him  by  that.  But,  law,  sir !  he 
can  't  tell  you  no  more  nor  I  have,"  said  Mrs.  Winterose. 

Before  she  quite  finished  her  speech  Mr.  Berners  ran 
down  stairs  and  out  of  the  cottage,  and  bent  his  steps  to 
the  quarryman's  hut. 

It  happened  just  as  the  old  nurse  had  foretold. 

The  man  could  tell  Mr.  Berners  nothing  but  this :  that 
Miss  Tabby  had  come  to  his  house  just  about  daylight,  hav 
ing  her  clothing  wet  and  draggled  nearly  up  to  her  waist 
with  mud  and  water,  and  shaking  as  with  an  ague,  and 
sinking  with  fatigue. 

He  having  neither  wife  nor  daughter,  nor  any  other 
woman  about  the  house,  had  no  proper  dry  clothes  to  offer 
her  j  but  he  made  her  sit  by  the  fire,  while  he  questioned 
her  as  to  the  manner  in  which  she  came  to  be  so  much  ex 
posed. 

She  answered  him  only  by  senseless  lamentations  and 
floods  of  tears. 

When  her  chill  had  gone  off  a  high  fever  came  on,  and, 
the  quarryman  explained,  he  knew  that  she  was  going  to  be 
ill,  so  he  offered  to  take  her  home ;  and,  partly  by  leading, 
and  partly  by  lugging,  he  had  contrived  to  carry  her  safe  to 
her  father's  cottage,  which  she  reached  in  a  state  of  fever 
and  delirium. 

This  was  all  the  information  that  Mr.  Berners  could  get 
from  the  honest  quarryman,  who  would  willingly  have  given 
him  more  had  he  possessed  it. 

Lyon  Berners  went  back  to  Black  Hall,  where  he  found 
Clement  and  Beatrix  Pendleton  waiting  for  him  in  the  par 
lor,  and  wondering  at  his  prolonged  absence. 

He  apologized  for  having  left  them  for  so  many  hours, 
and  explained  the  business  that  had  called  him  so  suddenly 
away,  giving  them  the  startling  intelligence  of  Miss  Tab- 


282  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

by's  unaccountable  safety  ;  which,  he  added,  left  the  fate  of 
his  beloved  wife  in  greater  uncertainty  than  they  had  sup 
posed  it  to  be.  She  was  probably  drowned,  but  possibly 
rescued.  He  could  not  tell.  He  and  they  must  wait 
patiently  the  issue  of  events. 

Wait  patiently  ?  Twice  more  that  day  he  walked  up  to 
the  overseer's  cottage  to  find  out  whether  Miss  Tabby's 
fever  had  gone  off  and  she  had  come  to  her  senses,  and  he 
came  back  disappointed.  And  again,  very  late  at  night,  he 
walked  up  there  and  startled  the  watcher  by  the  sick-bed 
with  the  same  question  so  often  repeated 

"  Has  she  come  to  her  senses  yet  ?  " 

"  No  ;  she  is  more  stupider  than  ever,  I  think,"  was  Miss 
Libby's  answer. 

"  What  does  your  mother  think  is  the  matter  with  her, 
then  ?  " 

"  Oh,  nothing  but  chills  and  fevers.  Only  Tabby  has  a 
weak  head,  and  always  loses  of  it  when  she  has  a  fever." 

"  Well,  Miss  Libby,  as  soon  as  she  comes  to  herself,  if  it 
is  in  the  dead  of  night,  send  some  one  over  to  the  Hall  to 
let  me  know,  that  I  may  come  immediately ;  for  my  anx 
iety  to  ascertain  my  wife's  fate,  which  she  only  can  tell,  is 
really  insupportable." 

Miss  Libby  promised  to  obey  his  directions,  and  Lyon 
Berners  returned  to  Black  Hall. 

But  not  that  night,  nor  for  many  nights  after  that,  did 
Miss  Tabby  come  to  her  senses.  Her  illness  proved  to  be 
a  low  type  of  typhoid  fever,  not  primarily  caused,  but  only 
hastened  by  the  depressing  influences  of  fear  and  cold  from 
her  exposure  to  death,  and  to  the  elements,  on  the  night  of 
the  great  flood. 

For  many  weary  weeks  she  lay  on  her  bed,  too  low  to  an 
swer  or  even  understand  a  question. 

And  during  all  this  time  nothing  occurred  to  throw  the 
faintest  gleam  of  light  upon  the  deep  darkness  that  still  en 
veloped  the  fate  of  Sybil  Berners. 


THE      VICTIMS.  283 

This  period  of  almost  insupportable  anxiety  was  passed 
by  Mr.  Berners  in  doing  all  that  was  possible  to  repair  the 
damage  done  by  the  disastrous  flood. 

He  was  the  largest  subscriber  to,  and  also  the  treasurer 
of  the  fund  raised  for  the  relief  of  the  victims,  and  passed 
much  time  in  receiving  and  disbursing  money  on  their  ac 
count. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE    VICTIMS. 

And  each  will  mourn  his  own,  (she  saith.) 
But  sweeter  woman  ne'er  drew  breath 
Than  that  young  wife. — JUAN  INGLELOW. 

THE  Great  Black  Valley  Flood,  as  it  came  to  be  called, 
had  occurred  on  Hallow  Eve. 

Before  Christmas  Eve  many  of  its  ravages  had  been  re 
paired. 

The  laborers'  cottages  had  been  rebuilt  and  refurnished. 
Other  dwellings  were  in  process  of  reconstruction  ;  and  the 
works  were  only  temporarily  suspended  by  the  frost.  The 
public  buildings  were  contracted  for,  to  be  re-erected  in  the 
spring. 

All  the  missing  bodies  had  been  recovered,  and  had  re 
ceived  Christian  burial,  except  those  of  Sybil  Berners  and 
her  young  child,  neither  of  which  had  yet  been  found,  or 
even  heard  of — a  circumstance  that  led  many  to  think  that 
the  mother  and  babe  had  been  rescued  and  concealed  by  her 
friends. 

And  for  many  weeks  Miss  Tabby  had  lain  prostrated  in 
body  and  idiotic  in  mind,  and  thus  totally  unable  to  give 
any  account  of  them. 

Lyon  Berners'  anxiety  and  suspense  gradually  settled 
into  deep  melancholy  and  despondency.  As  a  matter  of 


284  TKIED     FOE     HER     LIFE. 

duty,  he  managed  the  estate  as  if  Sybil  or  her  child  might 
one  day  reappear  to  enjoy  it. 

It  may  he  remembered  that  when  Lyon  Howe,  the  young 
barrister,  married  Sybil  Berners,  the  wealthy  heiress,  by 
the  conditions  of  the  marriage  contract  he  took  her  family 
name,  that  it  might  not  become  extinct. 

As  an  offset  to  this  sacrifice  on  his  part,  it  was  stipulated 
in  the  instrument  that,  in  case  of  his  wife  dying  before 
him,  without  leaving  children,  he  should  inherit  her  whole 
property. 

This,  in  the  present  state  of  affairs,  gave  him  all  the 
power  lie  needed  in  the  management  of  the  great  Black 
Valley  Manor. 

He  lived  at  Black  Hall,  doing  his  duty  for  duty's  sake,  a 
very  lonely  man. 

Now  that  Sybil  was  gone,  the  neighbors  were  all  disposed 
to  be  too  good  to  him.  They  visited  him,  and  invited  him 
out.  But  with  a  just  resentment  he  declined  all  visits,  and 
all  invitations,  except  from  those  devoted  friends  who  had 
been  faithful  to  his  wife  in  the  time  of  her  trouble :  Clement 
and  Beatrix  Pendleton,  young  Sheridan  the  lawyer,  old  Mr. 
Fortescue  the  sheriff,  and  Robert  Munson  the  soldier. 

Miss  Tabby  at  length  rose  from  her  bed  of  illness,  and, 
to  use  her  mother's  words,  "  was  able  to  creep  about  the 
house,"  but  in  a  state  of  mental  imbecility,  which  is  not  an 
unusual  effect  of  a  long,  low  type  of  typhoid  fever.  She 
was  obstinate  too,  "  obstinate  as  a  mule,"  her  sister  said. 
No  one  could  get  a  word  of  satisfaction  from  her  upon  the 
mysterious  subject  of  Sybil's  fate.  When  asked  by  Mr. 
Berners  how  she  was  saved,  she  answered  : 

"  I  was  picked  up  by  a  man  in  a  boat." 

"  What  sort  of  a  man  ?  " 

"  An  or  'nary  man  like  any  other." 

"Did  you  know  who  he  was  ?  " 

"  No." 


THE     VICTIMS.  285 

t 

"  Where  did  he  pick  you  up  ?  " 

"  Not  far  from  the  prison." 

"  Where  did  he  put  you-down  ?  " 

"  Close  by  the  quarries." 

«  What  became  of  Sybil  ?  " 

"  I  do  n't  know." 

"  When  did  you  see  her  last  ?  " 

"  The  last  time  I  ever  set  eyes  on  her  face,  was  when  she 
was  lying  on  her  bed  in  her  cell,  and  I  went  and  laid  the 
baby  by  her  ;  that  was  just  before  the  water  rushed  in.  I 
an't  set  eyes  on  her  face  or  the  baby's  face  since." 

And  this  was  literally  true,  for  Miss  Tabby  had  not  seen 
their  faces  in  the  boat.  But  those  who  had  not  the  key  to 
her  meaning,  could  not  detect  the  equivocation. 

She  was  cunning  enough  in  her  foolishness  to  keep  her 
oath,  and  to  leave  upon  the  minds  of  her  hearers  the  im 
pression  that  Sybil  and  her  young  child  were  certainly  lost. 

But  Miss  Tabby  had  a  tender  conscience  as  well  as  a 
soft  heart  and  a  weak  head,  and  the  keeping  of  this  secret, 
which  she  could  not  divulge  without  breaking  her  oath,  nor 
conceal  without  trifling  with  the  truth,  caused  her  so  much 
distress,  that  these  frequent  cross-examinations  invariably 
ended,  on  her  part,  in  a  fit  of  hysterics. 

This  was  the  state  of  affairs  on  Christmas  Eve  following 
the  great  flood. 

It  was  the  saddest  Christmas  ever  passed  at  Black  Hall. 

Mr.  Berners  had  invited  no  one,  not  even  his  most  inti 
mate  friends,  to  spend  it  with  him. 

But  Captain  Pendleton  and  Beatrix  had  come  uninvited, 
for  they  were  determined  that  Lyon  Berners  should  not  be 
left  alone  in  his  sorrow  at  such  a  time. 

"  We  have  rejoiced  with  you  in  many  a  Christmas  holi 
day.  Shall  we  not  come  and  mourn  with  you  now  ?  "  Bea 
trix  gently  inquired,  as  with  her  brother  she  entered  the 
parlor,  where  Mr.  Berners  on  this  Christmas  Eve  was  griev 
ing  alone. 


286  TRIED      FOB      HER      LIFE. 

He  got  up  and  welcomed  his  friends,  and  thanked  them 
for  their  visit. 

"  I  could  not  find  it  in  my  heart  to  invite  any  one,  even 
you,  true  souls ;  but  I  am  very,  very  glad  you  have  come  j 
though  it  is  another  sacrifice  on  your  parts." 

"  Not  at  all,  Lyon  Berners  ;  we  love  you,  and  had  rather 
come  here  and  be  miserable  with  you  than  be  merry  with 
an y body  else,"  said  Clement  Pendleton  warmly. 

But  Mr.  Berners  was  resolved  that  his  generous  young 
friends  should  not  be  as  "  miserable  "  as  they  were  willing 
to  be  in  the  merry  Christmas  season.  So  he  wrote  a  note 
of  invitation  for  two  other  guests,  and  dispatched  it  by  Joe 
to  Blackville  that  very  evening. 

The  note  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Sheridan,  with  a  request 
that  he  would  come,  and  bring  his  niece,  Miss  Minnie 
Sheridan,  to  meet  Captain  and  Miss  Pendleton  at  dinner  on 
Christmas-day,  at  Black  Hall. 

Now  this  Miss  Minnie  Sheridan  was  an  orphan  heiress, 
the  daughter  of  the  young  barrister's  eldest  brother.  By 
the  death  of  both  her  parents,  she  had  been  left  to  the 
guardianship  of  her  young  uncle,  who,  with  his  youthful 
niece,  now  boarded  at  the  Blackville  Hotel. 

It  was  reasonably  to  be  expected  that  these  young  people 
would,  on  Christmas-day,  willingly  exchange  the  hotel 
parlor  and  the  society  of  strangers,  for  the  drawing-room, 
at  Black  Hall  and  the  company  of  their  friends. 

Moreover,  Mr.  Berners  had  noticed  a  growing  esteem 
between  the  brilliant  young  barrister  and  the  beautiful 
Beatrix  Pendleton,  an  esteem  which  he  hoped  and  believed, 
for  their  sakes,  would  ripen  into  a  warmer  sentiment. 
Therefore  he  invited  the  Sheridaus  to  meet  the  Pendletons 
at  the  Christmas  dinner. 

Miss  Tabby  had,  within  a  few  days,  returned  and  resumed 
her  position  as  housekeeper  at  Black  Hall.  Her  office  was 
something  of  a  sinecure.  She  could  do  little  more  than 


THE     VICTIMS.  287 

fret  at  the  servants.  She  was  not  strong  enough  yet  to 
scold  them  vigorously. 

On  the  night  before  Christmas  it  snowed,  but  just 
enough  to  cover  the  ground  a  few  inches  deep. 

Christmas-day  broke  clear,  bright,  and  beautiful. 

Lyon  Berners  arose  early  in  the  morning,  to  be  ready  to 
greet  his  two  friends  upon  their  entrance  into  the  drawing- 
room. 

Although  his  heart  was  aching  with,  grief  for  Sybil,  he 
was  resolved  to  wear  a  cheerful  countenance  for  the  sake  of 
those  two  loyal  souls  who  had  been  so  devoted  to  her,  and 
were  now  so  constant  to  him.  He  little  dreamed  how  great 
would  be  his  reward  before  the  day  should  be  over. 

Clement  and  Beatrix  Pendleton  did  not  keep  him  wait 
ing  long.  They  soon  came  down  from  their  chambers,  and 
greeted  him  affectionately. 

"  This  cannot  be  a  '  merry '  Christmas  to  you,  dear 
Lyon,  but  it  may  be  a  good  one.  Will  you  accept  this 
from  me  ?  See !  with  the  faith  or  the  superstition  of  the 
old  Christians,  I  opened  it  at  random  to-day,  to  find  your 
fate  in  some  text.  And  this  is  really  what  my  eyes  first 
lighted  on,"  said  Beatrix  Pendleton,  as  she  placed  an  ele 
gantly  bound  pocket  Bible  in  the  hands  of  Lyon  Berners, 
and  pointed  to  this  passage : 

"  There  shall  be  light  at  the  evening  tide" 

"  Thanks,  dear  Beatrix  !  thanks  for  the  sacred  gift  and 
happy  augury ! "  said  Mr.  Berners,  as  he  took  the  book 
and  read  the  lines.  "  '  Light  at  the  evening  tide.'  That, 
I  fancy,  means  the  evening  of  life.  A  weary  time  to  wait, 
Beatrix.  Ah !  Clement,  good-morning.  I  may  wish  you 
a  merry  Christmas,  at  least,"  he  added,  suddenly  turning 
to  Captain  Pendleton,  who  had  followed  his  sister  into  the 
room. 

And  they  shook  hands  and  went  in  to  breakfast. 

There  were  no  more  Christmas  presents  exchanged.     No 


288  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

one  there,  except  Beatrix,  had  thought  of  giving  one  ; 
though  hers  had  been  graceful  and  appropriate. 

After  breakfast  they  went  to  church  at  Blackville.  They 
were  drawn  thither  in  the  roomiest  carriage,  by  a  pair  of 
the  strongest  horses,  with  Joe  on  the  box  ;  for  they  expected 
to  pick  up  the  Sheridans  after  the  morning  service,  and  to 
bring  them  to  Black  Hall  to  dinner. 

The  distance  between  Black  Hall  and  Blackville  was 
considerable,  and  the  road  was  rough,  and  so  it  was  rather 
late  when  our  party  reached  the  church. 

The  congregation  were  already  in  their  seats,  and  the 
pastor  was  in  his  pulpit  ;  so  there  was  no  opportunity  for 
our  friends  to  meet  until  after  the  benediction  was  pro- 


Then,  as  the  people  were  all  leaving  the  church,  Mr. 
Berners  sought  out  young  Sheridan  and  his  little  niece, 
and  after  paying  them  the  compliments  of  the  season, 
invited  them  to  take  seats  in  his  carriage  to  Black  Hall. 

They  accepted  his  offer  with  thanks,  and  allowed  him  to 
conduct  them  to  the  coach,  in  which  the  Pendletons  were 
already  seated. 

There  was  a  merry  meeting  between  the  young  people, 
notwithstanding  the  sadness  of  some  reminiscences. 

Youth  cannot  for  ever  be  sorrowful. 

Joe  put  whip  to  his  horses,  and  started  them  at  a  brisk 
trot  over  the  snow-clad  roads,  and  under  the  brilliant  sky  of 
that  clear  December  day. 

They  reached  Black  Hall  in  good  time. 

The  splendid  Christmas  fires  were  blazing  on  every  hearth 
in  the  house. 

Beatrix  Pendleton  took  Minnie  Sheridan  to  her  own  bed 
chamber,  that  they  might  there  lay  off  their  bonnets  and 
shawls  and  prepare  for  dinner. 

Captain  Pendleton  went  off  alone  to  his  room,  and  Mr. 
Berners  was  just  about  to  conduct  young  Sheridan  to  some 


THE     VICTIMS.  289 

spare  bed-chamber,  where  he  could  brush  his  hair,  when  the 
barrister  laid  his  hand  upon  his  host's  shoulder,  and  stopped 
him,  saying : 

"  No  ;  stay  here.  I  have  something  which  I  must  show 
you  while  we  are  quite  alone." 

And  he  shut  the  doors,  and  then  drew  his  companion  away 
to  the  furthest  window,  out  of  earshot  of  any  chance  eaves 
dropper. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  inquired  Mr.  Berners,  much  mystified. 

"  I  do  not  know  ;  something  very  important  I  fancy. 
But  read  this  first,"  said  the  barrister,  placing  an  open 
letter  in  his  friend's  hand. 

Lyon  Berners  in  great  curiosity  examined  it.  It  was  ad 
dressed  to Sheridan,  Esq.,  Counsellor  at  Law,  Black- 

ville. 

It  contained  these  lines : 

"  Take  the  enclosed  letter  to  Mr.  Lyon  Berners  on  Christ 
mas-day,  when  you  find  him  quite  alone.  If  this  should 
reach  you  before  Christmas,  keep  it  carefully  until  that 
day  ;  then  deliver  it  to  its  address  with  secrecy  and  discre 
tion." 

"  In  the  name  of  Heaven,  what  is  this  ?  Where  is  the 
letter  ?  When  did  you  get  it  ?  "  demanded  Lyon  Berners, 
in  astonishment. 

"  It  seems  to  be  a  mystery.  I  got  the  letter  only  this 
morning,  else  in  spite  of  the  injunction  I  should  have  de 
livered  it  to  you  before.  Here  it  is  now,"  said  young  Sher 
idan,  placing  the  mysterious  epistle  in  the  hands  of  his 
friend. 

Lyon  Berners  examined  it  in  haste  and  excitement. 

It  was  superscribed : 

"  To  Lyon  Berners,  Esq.,  Black  Hall.     To  the  care  of 
18 


290  TRIED     FOE     HER     LIFE. 

Sheridan,  Esq.  To  be  delivered  secretly  on  Christmas- 
day." 

Mr.  Berners  tore  off  the  envelope,  when  he  came  to 
another  one,  on  which  was  written  : 

A  Christmas  gift  for  Mr.  Berners. 

This  also  he  hastily  tore  off.  Then  he  ran  his  eyes  rapid 
ly  over  the  contents  of  the  letter,  and  with  a  great  cry — a 
cry  of  joy  unspeakable — he  threw  up  his  arms  and  sank  to 
the  floor. 

He  who  had  never  been  conquered  by  fear  or  sorrow  or 
despair,  was  now  utterly  vanquished  by  joy  I 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

WHAT   THE   LETTER    CONTAINED. 

Do  yon  blame  me,  friend,  for  weakness  f 

Twas  the  strength  of  passion  slew  me,— K.  B.  Bcoirxnra. 

WITH  an  exclamation  of  dismay  Sheridan  raised  his 
friend,  and  helped  him  to  an  arm-chair,  and  sat  him  back  in 
a  reclining  position  on  it 

And  at  the  same  instant  hurrying  steps  were  heard  ap 
proaching,  and  some  of  the  servants  who  had  been  loitering 
in  the  hall,  startled  by  the  noise  of  the  cry  and  the  fall, 
rushed  into  the  room  to  see  what  the  matter  could  be. 

Lyon  Berners  had  not  quite  lost  his  consciousness,  and 
the  entrance  of  the  men  at  once  restored  his  senses. 

His  first  act  was  to  point  to  the  letter  which  had  fallen 
from  his  hand  to  the  floor,  and  say  : 

"  Pick  it  up  and  give  it  to  me,  and  send  these  people  away 
—quickly,  Sheridan,  if  you  please." 

The  young  lawyer  immediately  went  after  the  intruders, 
exclaiming, 


WHAT     THE     LETTER     CONTAINED.       291 

"  Come,  come,  old  Joe,  Tom,  Bill ;  what  do  you  mean  by 
rushing  in  upon  us  in  this  way  when  we  are  having  a  good 
humored  rough  and  tumble  wrestling  match  among  our 
selves  ?  Be  off  with  you,  you  barbarians  ! " 

And  so  with  affected  mirth,  which  really  deluded  the 
simple  darkies,  he  turned  them  out  of  the  drawing-room,  and 
locked  the  door. 

Then  he  went  back  to  Mr.  Berners  and  inquired : 

'•'  Now  what  is  it,  if  I  may  ask  ?  " 

"  She  is  safe  !  My  dear  Sybil  is  safe  ! — safe  beyond  all 
pursuit ;  beyond  all  possibility  of  recapture  ! "  exclaimed 
Mr.  Berners,  triumphantly. 

"  Thank  Heaven,  with  all  my  heart !  But  how,  and 
where  ?  "  inquired  Sheridan,  excitedly. 

"  She  was  rescued  by  Raphael !  She  is  on  mid-ocean 
now,  in  a  British  ship,  under  the  protection  of  the  British 
flag,  God  bless  it!" 

"  Amen !  But  tell  me  all  about  it,  or  let  me  read  the 
letter." 

"  Stop  !  I  must  call  Pendleton  and  Beatrix.  Those  two 
true  friends  must  hear  my  secret  and  share  our  joy,"  said 
Mr.  Berners,  rising  and  going  to  the  door. 

But  there  was  no  need  to  call,  for  he  had  scarcely  turned 
the  lock  before  he  heard  the  light  steps  of  Miss  Pendleton 
approaching. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  Lyon,  you  are  happy  or  crazy  ! 
Which  is  it  ?  I  am  sure  something  delightful  must  have 
happened  to  make  you  look  so !  What  is  it  ?  "  demanded 
Beatrix,  as  she  slidftd  into  a  seat. 

Before  Mr.  Berners  could  answer,  the  door  once  more 
opened,  and  Captain  Pendleton  entered. 

"  What  is  up  ?  "  was  his  first  question,  on  seeing  the  ex 
cited  countenances  of  his  friends. 

"  We  have  good  news.  But — where  is  Miss  Sheridan  ?  " 
inquired  Mr  Berners,  suddenly  remembering  his  youngest 
guest. 


292  TRIED     FOB     HER     LIFE. 

"  Oh,  Minnie  is  curling  her  hair  in  my  room.  Her  ring 
lets  were  so  blown  by  the  wind  that  it  was  necessary  to 
dress  it  over  again.  She  would  n't  let  me  wait  for  her,"  ex 
plained  Beatrix. 

"  It  is  just  as  well,"  added  Mr.  Sheridan.  "  Minnie  is  a 
good  girl,  but  she  is  little  more  than  a  child ;  and  though  I 
could  answer  for  her  honesty,  I  could  n't  for  her  discretion." 

"  Then/'  said  Lyon  Berners  very  gravely,  "  then  let 
what  I  am  about  to  read  to  you  remain  an  inviolable  secret 
between  us  four." 

"  Certainly,"  answered  Sheridan. 

"  Shall  we  swear  it  ?  "  inquired  Pendleton. 

"  Yes  !  yes  !  if  necessary.  But,  oh  !  do  go  on  !  It  is 
something  about  Sybil,"  impatiently  exclaimed  Beatrix. 

"  Yes,  it  is  something  about  Sybil.  You  need  not  swear 
to  be  secret  on  this  subject.  You  have  given  me  your  words, 
and  that  is  sufficient.  Indeed,  I  feel  sure  that  without  any 
request  on  my  part  or  promise  on  yours,  you  would  still  have 
been  secret,  for  you  would  still  have  seen  the  necessity  of 
secrecy.  Now  I  will  read  you  the  letter,  which  will  explain 
itself,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  as  he  unfolded  his  mysterious 
epistle,  and  read : 

"BRITISH  MERCHANTMAN  DELIVERANCE,) 

"  At  Sea,  Lat.  35  deg.  15  m.,  Lon.  49  deg.  27  m.,  [ 

December  1st,  18 — .     ) 

"  To  LYON  BERNERS,  Esq. :  Sir — As  you  and  your  set 
made  such  a  mess  of  it  in  trying  to  save  Mrs.  Sybil  Ber 
ners  from  the  injustice  of  'justice,'  I,  who  am  an  outlaw, 
undertook  to  take  her  from  out  of  all  your  hands. 

"  The  instrument  of  my  work  was  my  dutiful  son  Raphael. 
We  had  intended,  with  the  help  of  our  brave  band,  to  storm 
the  prison,  and  deliver  the  fair  prisoner  by  force  of  arms. 
But  before  we  were  quite  ready  for  that  difficult  enterprise, 
the  flood  came  and  made  all  easy.  We  had  only  to  hire  a 
boat,  get  into  it,  and  permit  ourselves  to  be  lifted  by  the  rise 


WHAT     THE     LETTER      CONTAINED.       293 

of  the  waters  to  the  level  of  her  cell  window,  beat  it  in,  and 
take  her  out.  We  did  that  and  saved  her,  and  also,  inciden 
tally,  the  infant  girl  and  the  old  maid. 

.  "  We  put  out  the  woman  at  the  foot  of  the  Quarries,  hav 
ing  first  bound  her  by  an  oath  to  secrecy  as  to  the  means  of 
her  rescue  and  the  safety  of  Sybil  Berners — an  oath,  by  the 
way,  of  which  you  herebj'  have  the  authority  to  release  her, 
should  you  see  fit  to  do  so. 

"  We  placed  the  child  at  nurse  with  a  woman  by  the  name 
of  Fugitt,  who  is  the  wife  of  the  overseer  at  Colonel  Poin- 
dexter's  plantation,  not  far  from  Blackville.  The  nurse 
knows  nothing  of  the  child,  except  that  she  was  paid  a  hun 
dred  dollars  down  for  taking  care  of  it,  and  asking  no  ques 
tions. 

"  We  took  the  mother  to  the  old  ruined  wind-mill,  where 
we  had  a  snug  room  or  two.  There  she  was  skilfully  nursed 
by  our  old  housekeeper  through  the  dangerous  fever  that 
followed  her  confinement  and  her  exposure.  After  her  recov 
ery  and  her  full  restoration  to  reason,  we,  avoiding  every  re 
ference  either  to  her  long  imprisonment  or  maternity,  both 
of  which  events  she  had  forgotten  in  the  delirium  of  her  ill 
ness,  we  took  her  away  to  Norfolk,  where  we  went  on  board 
the  British  merchant  ship  '  Deliverance.'  I  write  this  letter 
from  the  sea,  about  half-way  across  the  Atlantic,  and  I  wait 
to  send  it  by  some  homeward-bound  ship. 

"  December  9th. — The  man  on  the  look-out  reports  a  sail 
in  sight,  heading  this  way.  If  she  should  prove  to  be  an 
American-bound  ship,  her  name  ought  to  be  '  The  Surprise,' 
for  when  I  send  this  letter  by  her  she  will  take  you  a  very 
great  surprise. 

"  If  this  should  reach  you  in  season,  pray  accept  it  as  a 
Christmas  gift. 

"  Mrs.  Berners  is  still  improving,  though  not  yet  well  or 
strong  enough  to  accommodate  herself  to  the  motion  of  the 
ship  sufiicieatly  to  enable  her  to  write  to  you.  Nor  will  she 


294  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

Bend  any  confidential  message  through  me.  She  will  not 
treu  see  or  speak  to  me.  She  keeps  her  state-room,  attend 
ed  by  my  wife. 

"  She  still  resents  her  rescue,  which  she  calls  her  abduc 
tion,  and  she  feels  grief  and  indignation  at  being  taken  away 
from  you,  rather  than  joy  or  gratitude  at  being  saved  from 
death.  But  then  it  is  true  that  she  thinks  she  was  only 
rescued  from  drowning  in  the  flood.  She  does  not  know  that 
she  was  saved  from  a  still  more  horrible  fate. 

"  The  mild  insanity  which  appeared  several  months  ago, 
and  disappeared  at  the  birth  of  her  child,  and  which  then 
shielded  her  from  all  realization  of  the  horrors  of  her  late 
position,  still  saves  her  from  all  knowledge  of  what  it  was. 
Although  now  perfectly  sane,  she  is  entirely  ignorant  that 
she  was  ever  put  on  trial  for  her  life,  or  condemned  to 
death,  or  sent  to  prison. 

"  Nor  would  I  enlighten  her  on  that  subject  lest  the  fate 
of  the  sleep-walker  should  be  hers — who,  having  safely 
walked  over  the  parapet  of  a  bridge  above  an  awful  chasm, 
fell  dead  with  horror  the  next  morning  at  beholding  the 
peril  he  had  escaped.  I  would  advise  you  to  maintain  the 
same  inviolable  secrecy  on  that  subject.  She  does  not 
know  the  dangers  she  has  passed,  and  she  need  never  know 
them. 

"  They  have  spoken  the  ship,  and  I  will  go  up  and  see 
what  she  is. 

"Later. — She  is  not  the  "Surprise,"  as  she  ought  to  have 
been.  She  is  the  "Sally  Ann,"  of  Baltimore,  homeward 
bound,  with  a  cargo  of  silks.  She  will  lay  alongside  for 
half  an  hour  to  exchange  letters  and  some  provisions. 

"  A  few  words  more.  Do  n't  forget  where  I  told  you,  you 
might  find  your  child,  and  then  go  and  accuse  me  of  steal 
ing  it. 

"  Remember  that  you  have  my  authority  for  releasing  the 
old  woman  from  her  oath,  that  she  may  give  you  every  de- 


WHAT     THE     BETTER     CONTAINED.      295 

tail  of  the  rescue.  But  I  counsel  you,  that  as  soon  as  you 
shall  have  heard  all  that  she  has  got  to  tell  you,  you  will 
seal  up  her  lips  with  another  oath  even  more  binding  than 
the  first. 

"  The  continued  existence  of  Sybil  Berners  should  be 
kept  a  profound  secret  from  all  others,  except  those  few  de 
voted  friends  who  will  follow  her  into  exile ;  and  it  should 
be  kept  so,  for  this  reason ;  that  sometime,  sooner  or  late, 
there  will  be  an  extradition  treaty  between  all  civilized 
nations,  for  the  delivering  up  of  fugitives  from  justice, 
which  impending  treaty  may  or  may  not  have  a  retrospec 
tive  action.  Therefore  it  is  better  that  Mrs.  Berners  should 
be  supposed  to  have  perished  in  the  flood,  and  that  the 
secret  of  her  rescue  and  continued  life  should  be  carefully 
kept  from  all,  except  those  already  mentioned. 

"  A  last  word.  The  only  way  in  which  my  wife  can  keep 
her  quiet,  is  by  promising  that  you  will  follow  her  immedi 
ately.  Come  as  soon  as  you  can.  I  am  weary  of  my 
charge.  Why  I  ever  undertook  it,  is  my  secret.  We  will 
await  you  in  Liverpool.  A  letter  addressed  to  'Raphael,' 
through  the  general  post-office  in  that  city,  will  find  us. 

"  And  now  I  must  seal  up,  wishing  you  a  merry.  Christ 
inas.  From  your  UNKNOWN  FRIEND." 

"  Thank  Heaven ! "  fervently  exclaimed  Beatrix  Pendle- 
ton. 

"  Amen,"  earnestly  responded  her  brother. 

"You  will  go  soon,  Lyon  ?"  eagerly  inquired  Beatrix. 

"  Soon  ?  I  would  start  instantly  if  I  could.  But  there 
is  no  coach  that  leaves  for  Baltimore  or  Norfolk  until  the 
day  after  to-morrow.  To-day  I  will  give  orders  to  my  ser 
vants  to  pack  up.  To-morrow  I  will  ride  over  to  Fugitt's  to 
inquire  after  my  child,  which  for  its  own  sake  must  still  be 
left  in  their  care,  I  suppose.  And  the  day  after  I  will  leave 
in  the  early  coach  for  Baltimore.  There  I  shall  certainly 


296  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

be  able  to  meet  a  clipper  bound  for  Liverpool,"  answered 
Mr.  Berners,  speaking  very  rapidly. 

"  And  in  the  mean  time  ? "  anxiously  inquired  Captain 
Pendleton. 

"  In  the  meantime,  that  is,  to-day,  I  must  give  ray  friend 
Sheridan  here  a  power  of  attorney  to  manage  this  estate 
during  my  absence.  For  you — you  hold  to  your  purpose  of 
visiting  Europe,  Pendleton  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes ;  and  if  you  could  wait  a  week,  while  I  make 
the  necessary  arrangements,  Beatrix  and  myself  might  ac 
company  you ;  but  that  is  too  much  to  ask  of  you  under 
the  circumstances,"  smiled  Clement  Pendleton. 

"  I  should  be  so  rejoiced  to  have  you  both  go  with  me, 
especially  as  the  voyage  is  going  to  be  a  tedious  one  at  this 
season  of  the  year ;  but  how  can  I  delay  a  day  while  my 
poor  Sybil,  an  exile  among  strangers,  waits  for  me  ?  " 

"  Oh,  of  course  you  could  not  possibly  do  it.  But  we 
will  follow  you  soon,  Berners,  rely  upon  that." 

Lyon  Berners  pressed  his  friend's  hand  in  silence,  and 
then  went  to  meet  Minnie  Sheridan,  who  had  glided  shyly 
and  silently  into  the  room. 

She  must  have  heard  the  latter  part  of  the  conversation, 
but  without  apparently  understanding  it ;  for  she  came  for 
ward  blushing  and  smiling,  as  usual,  and  took  her  seat 
beside  Beatrix  Pendleton. 

The  conversation  concerning  Sybil  ceased  then.  Some 
one  started  the  subject  of  the  Christmas  sermon,  and  they 
talked  of  that  until  dinner  was  announced. 

It  was  a  much  happier  feast  than  Lyon  Berners  had 
ventured  to  hope  for.  They  sat  long  at  table.  After  they 
withdrew  to  the  drawing-room,  Mr.  Berners  sat  the  two 
Pendletons  and  the  two  Sheridans  down  to  a  rubber  of  whist, 
and  then  excused  himself  to  them,  and  went  out  in  search 
of  Miss  Tabitha  Winterose. 

He  found  that  faithful  creature  in  the  housekeeper's  room, 
sitting  at  a  little  table,  drinking  tea  and  dropping  tears, 


WHAT     THE     LETTER      CONTAIIs7ED.       297 

"What  is  the  matter,  Miss  Tabby?"  he  inquired  cheer 
fully. 

"  What  is  the  matter ! "  she  repeated,  reproachfully.  "  Is 
it  what  is  the  matter  you  ask  me,  Mr.  Beruers  ;  you  ?  An't 
this  Christmas-day  the  first  Christmas-day  since  ever  she 
was  born,  as  she  has  n't  passed  here  ?  And  to  see  how  you 
all  went  on  at  dinner,  eating  and  drinking  and  laughing 
and  talking  as  if  she  was  n't  lost  and  gone  ! " 

"  Now,  Miss  Tabby,  you  know  well  enough  that  Mrs. 
Berners  is  quite  safe." 

Miss  Tabby  started,  spilt  her  tea,  nearly  dropped  her  cup, 
and — gazed  at  him  in  consternation. 

"  I  know  that  you  know  she  is  safe,"  repeated  Mr.  Ber 
ners. 

"  I  do  n't  know  nothink  of  the  sort !  How  should  I  ? 
And  neither  do  you.  How  should  you  indeed,  when  even  I 
do  n't  ?  "  said  Miss  Tabby,  defiantly. 

"  Now,  my  g'ood  soul,  you  were  present  when  Mrs.  Ber 
ners  was  taken  through  the  window  of  the  flooded  prison 
on  to  the  boat,"  said  Mr.  Berners. 

Miss  Tabbj-  stared  at  him  aghast. 

"  How — how — how  do  you  know  that  ?  "  she  gasped  and 
faltered. 

"  My  good  creature,  because  the  man  who  rescued  her  and 
her  child  and  you,  has  written  and  told  me  how  he  did  it, 
and  all  about  it. 

Miss  Tabby's  mouth  and  eyes  opened  wider  than  ever. 

"  And  is  she — is  she  safe  ?  "  she  inquired. 

"  Yes,  she  is  safe,  on  her  way  to  a  foreign  country,  where 
I  shall  follow  her." 

"  Well,  my  good  gracious  me  alive ;  how  uncommon 
strange  things  do  turn  out !  Well,  I  never  did  hear  the  like 
to  that !  Well,  thanks  be  to  goodness ! "  ejaculated  the 
poor  woman  fervently,  clasping  her  hands. 

"Now,  Miss  Tabby,  this  letter-writer  tells  me  that  he 


298  TEIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

bound  you  by  an  oath  never  to  divulge  the  secret  of  Sybil's 
rescue ;  but,  mark  you,  that  he  gives  me  the  authority  to 
release  you  from  that  oath,  so  that  you  may  give  me  all  the 
particulars  of  that  event,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  and  then  he 
waited  for  her  to  speak.  But  she  kept  a  resolute  silence. 

"  Come,  Miss  Tabby,  tell  me  all  about  it,"  continued  Mr. 
Berners,  seating  himself  to  listen  to  the  story. 

"  I  an  't  got  nothing  to  tell  you  any  more  than  I  have 
told  you  already,"  answered  the  woman  doggedly. 

"  Why,  you  never  told  me  anything  !  "  exclaimed  Lyon 
Berners,  impatiently. 

"  Yes,  I  did  too  !  I  told  you  as  how  the  last  time  I  seen 
Miss  Sybil's  face,  or  the  baby's  face,  was  when  they  was 
both  a  lay  in'  side  by  side  on  the  bed  just  before  the  water 
rushed  into  the  broken  winder ;  and  how  I  myself  was 
picked  up  not  far  from  where  the  prison  was,"  said  Miss 
Tabby,  stubbornly. 

"  Which  was  all  a  prevarication,  Tabby,  though  to  the 
letter  true.  Come.  You  can  tell  me  more  than  that." 

"  No,  sir ;  I  told  you  that  then,  and  I  can  't  tell  you  no 
more  now." 

"  But  I  know  you  can.  See !  this  letter  releases  you  from 
your  oath  of  silence." 

"  No  letter  can  't  release  me  from  no  oath,  sir,  which  I 
took  upon  the  Bible,"  persisted  Miss  Tabby. 

"  Was  there  ever  such  fanaticism  !  "  exclaimed  Lyon  Ber- 
ners,  impatiently. 

"  I  do  n't  know  what  sort  of  a  schism  fanaticism  is,  sir, 
but  I  know  I  an't  left  so  far  to  my  own  devices  as  to  be  let 
to  fall  into  any  schisms,  so  long  as  I  prays  faithfully  into  the 
litany  every  Sunday  to  be  delivered  from  all  schisms." 

"Heaven  and  earth,  woman!  That  has  nothing  to  do 
with  it.  Here  is  a  man  writing  to  release  you  from  an  oath 
you  took  to  him  to  keep  secrecy  on  a  certain  event,  of  which 
it  is  expedient  now  for  you  to  speak.  He  frees  you  from 
your  oath,  I  tell  you." 


WHAT     THE     LETTER      CONTAINED.       299 

"  Which  he  can 't  do,  sir,  begging  of  his  parding  and 
yours.  If  so  be  I  took  an  oath,  which  I  do  n't  acknowledge 
as  I  did  take,"  said  Miss  Tabby,  cautiously,  "  he  can  't  free 
me  from  it  no  more  'n  no  one  else.  And  if  so  be  you  could 
put  me  on  the  rack  like  a  heathen  and  torter  me  to  death, 
I  would  die  a  marture  to  the  faith  rayther  than  break  my 
oath,"  snivelled  Miss  Tabby. 

"  Who  the  demon  wants  to  put  you  on  the  rack,  you  in 
tolerable  old  idiot  ?  "  exclaimed  Lyon  Berners,  driven  past 
his  patience  by  her  obstinacy.  "  Will  you,  or  will  you  not, 
tell  me  all  the  particulars  of  Sybil's  rescue  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  I  will  not,  because  I  cannot  without  breaking 
of  my  oath,"  persisted  Miss  Tabby,  with  a  constancy  which 
compelled  respect  for  her  honesty,  if  it  inspired  contempt 
for  her  judgment. 

"  Well,  I  hope  also  that  you  will  never  mention  the  mat 
ter  to  any  one  else,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  one  little  comfort 
mingling  with  his  disappointment. 

"  That  I  never  will,  sir ;  but  will  suffer  my  tongue  to  be 
tored  out  by  the  roots  first.  If  I  have  strength  to  withstand 
you,  sir,  do  n't  you  think  as  I  shall  have  strength  to  with 
stand  others  ?  " 

"  I  think  it  quite  likely.  Well,  Miss  Tabby,  2  know 
you  understand  me,  whether  you  will  divulge  anything  to 
me  or  not,  and  so  I  shall  soon  give  you  certain  instructions 
as  freely  as  if  there  were  an  outspoken  confidence  between 
us,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  rising  to  leave  the  room. 

"  That  you  may  do,  sir,  with  full  faith  in  me,"  answered 
Miss  Tabby. 

And  then  Mr.  Berners  left  her,  and  returned  to  his 
guests. 

Mr.  Berners  and  his  guests  passed  that  Christmas  even 
ing,  not  in  playing  Christmas  games,  but  in  transacting 
important  business. 

The  three   gentlemen   excused   themselves   to  the  two 


300  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

ladies,  and  leaving  them  to  practice  a  new  duet  together  on 
the  piano,  withdrew  to  the  library,  where  documents  were 
drawn  up  giving  lawyer  Sheridan  full  powers  to  manage  the 
estate  in  the  absence  of  its  proprietors. 

When  these  were  duly  signed,  sealed,  and  delivered,  and 
all  the  details  of  the  agency  and  of  the  voyage  had  been 
thoroughly  discussed,  they  returned  to  the  drawing-room. 

It  was  now  late,  and  the  guests  arose  to  take  leave,  but 
at  Mr.  Berners'  earnest  invitation,  they  consented  to  re 
main,  not  only  for  the  night,  but  for  the  two  days  that  their 
host  would  be  at  home. 

The  next  morning,  after  an  early  breakfast,  Mr.  Berners 
mounted  his  horse  and  rode  over  to  the  plantation  where  his 
child  had  been  placed  to  nurse.  He  was  determined,  as  a 
matter  of  prudence,  not  to  divulge  to  the  nurse  the  parent 
age  of  the  child.  He  knew  that  to  do  so  would  start  a  furor 
of  gossip  and  speculation  that  would  be  both  unpleasant 
and  inconvenient. 

On  reaching  the  plantation,  he  rode  up  to  the  gate  of  the 
substantial  stone  cottage  belonging  to  the  overseer,  alighted, 
tied  his  horse  to  a  post,  and  went  up  to  the  house  door  and 
knocked. 

A  rosy-cheeked  girl  of  about  twelve  years  of  age  opened 
the  door. 

"  Is  Mrs.  Fugitt  in  ?  "  he  inquired. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  the  girl,  stretching  wide  the  door  to 
admit  the  visitor. 

Mr.  Berners  stepped  into  a  very  clean  and  comfortable 
room,  where  a  woman  sat  with  one  young  babe  at  her 
breast  arid  another  in  the  cradle  beside  her. 

She  took  her  foot  from  the  rocker  of  the  cradle  and 
aro?e  with  the  babe  still  in  her  arms  to  meet  the  stranger. 

"  Mrs.  Fugitt  ?  "  inquired  Mr.  Berners. 

"  Yes,  sir,  that  'a  my  name.  Will  you  sit  down  ?  Betsy 
Ann,  hand  the  gentleman  a  chair." 


WHAT      THE      LETTER      CONTAINED.       301 

The  little  girl  brought  forward  a  country  made  chip-bot 
tom  chair,  and  with  a  bow,  the  visitor  seated  himself. 

The  woman  also  sac  down,  and  waited  in  some  little 
curiosity  to  find  out  the  object  of  the  stranger's  visit. 

"  You  have  a  young  child  at  nurse  ?  "  he  said. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  this  one  that  I  have  upon  my  lap.  That  one 
in  the  cradle  is  my  own." 

"  Are  you  strong  enough  to  nurse  two  children  ?  "  in 
quired  Mr.  Berners. 

"  Betsy  Ann,"  said  the  woman,  turning  to  the  little  girl, 
"  call  your  sister  Nancy  'Lizabeth  in  here." 

The  child  went  into  a  back  kitchen,  and  returned  with 
another  child  the  counterpart  of  herself. 

"  There,  now  !  You  two  stand  right  up  there  before  the 
gentleman." 

The  children  joined  hands,  and  stood  before  Mr.  Berners 
for  inspection. 

"  There,  now,  sir !     You  look  at  them." 

"  They  are  very  well  worth  looking  at ;  a  pair  of  stout, 
rosy,  healthy,  happy  lasses,  I  'm  sure,"  said  Mr.  Berners, 
smiling  at  them,  and  feeling  in  his  pocket  for  some  loose 
coins. 

"  Well,  sir,  them 's  my  twins.  I  nussed  'em  both  myself 
without  any  help  from  a  bottle — either  a  bottle  for  them,  sir, 
or  a  bottle  for  myself"  said  the  mother,  proudly. 

"  They  do  you  much  credit,  certainly,"  said  Mr.  Berners, 
who  had  now  found  two  half-eagles. 

"  Well,  sir,  they  never  had  a  day's  sickness  in  their  lives. 
I  showed  'em  to  you,  sir,  to  prove  as  I  could  nuss  two 
children  successful." 

"  I  'm  convinced  of  it." 

"  One  of  'em  is  named  Elizabeth  Ann,  and  the  other 
Ann  Elizabeth.  The  same  name  because  they  're  twins, 
sir,  only  put  backwards  and  forwards  like,  so  as  to  tell  one 
gal's  name  from  t'  other's.  And  I  call  'em  Betsy  Ann  and 


302  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE* 

Nancy  'Lizabeth  on  week-days  and  work  days  ;  and  I  call 
'em  Elizabeth  Ann  and  Ann  Elizabeth  on  Sundays  and 
company  days." 

"  Quite  right,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  smiling. 

"  And  now,  gals,  you  may  go,"  said  the  mother. 

"  Here,  my  dears !  Here  is  something  to  buy  you  a 
Christmas  gift  each,"  said  Mr.  Berners,  slipping  the  gold 
coins  into  the  hands  of  the  children. 

"There!  thank  the  gentleman,  and  then  run  out  and 
peel  the  potatoes  and  turnips.  And  be  sure  you  do  n't  lose 
your  pennies,"  said  the  woman,  who  had  no  idea  that  the 
children's  gifts  had  been  half-eagles. 

The  well-trained  little  girls  obeyed  their  mother  in  every 
particular.  And  as  soon  as  they  had  left  the  room,  Mr. 
Berners  turned  to  the  woman  and  inquired  : 

"  Are  those  fine  children  your  only  ones  ?  " 

"  I  never  had  any  but  them  until  about  three  months 
ago,  when  that  boy  in  the  cradle  came  to  put  a  surprise  on 
me.  Look  at  him,  sir  !  An 't  he  a  hearty  little  chap  for  a 
three  mouther  ?  " 

"  Indeed  he  is ! "  acknowledged  Mr.  Berners,  as  he 
turned  down  the  coverlet  and  gazed  at  the  fat,  rosy  babe. 
"  And  now,"  he  continued,  as  he  replaced  the  cover,  "  will 
you  let  me  look  at  your  nurse-child  ?  I — I  am  its  guardi 
an,  and  responsible  for  the  expense  of  its  rearing." 

"So  I  judged,  sir,  when  I  first  saw  you.  The  gentleman 
that  brought  the  child  to  me,  and  gave  tne  a  hundred  dol 
lars  with  it,  told  me  how,  in  about  a  couple  of  months,  the 
guardian  of  the  child  would  come  to  make  further  arrange 
ments.  And  you  're  him,  sir  ?  " 

"  I  am  he,"  gravely  replied  Lyon  Berners,  as  he  gazed 
fondly  down  on  the  face  of  his  sleeping  babe,  and  traced  in 
the  delicate  features  and  silky  black  hair  and  faintly  drawn 
black  eye-brows  the  lineaments  of  its  mother. 

"  Well,  sir,  I  can  tell  you,  for  your  satisfaction,  that  the 
child  is  in  good  hands." 


WHAT     THE     LETTER     CONTAINED.       303 

"  I  have  no  doubt  of  it.  And,"  lie  continued,  "  after 
some  hesitation,  "  I  can  tell  you,  for  your  satisfaction,  that 
the  child  is  all  right.  She  was  born  in  lawful  wedlock." 

"  I  'm  glad  to  hear  that,  for  the  child's  sake,  sir ;  though 
if  what  you  tell  me  is  true,  as  I  suppose  it  is,  I  do  n't  see 
why  the  parents  can 't  own  their  child." 

"  There  are  good  and  sufficient  reasons  which  may  be 
made  known  to  you  at  some  future  time,"  replied  Mr.  Ber- 
ners. 

"  Humph  !  then  I  s'pose  it 's  a  case  of  a  secret  marriage, 
that  can  't  be  acknowledged  yet  a  while,  upon  account  of 
offending  rich  parents,  and  being  cut  off  from  their  proper 
ty  or  something.  I  have  heard  of  such  things  before  now. 
Well,  sir,  I  do  n't  want  to  intrude  on  your  secrets,  and  I 
know  how  to  keep  a  still  tongue  in  my  head.  And  as  for 
the  baby,  sir,  she  has  made  her  own  way  into  my  heart,  and 
whatever  her  parents  have  been  and  done,  I  shall  love  and 
nuss  her  as  if  she  was  my  own." 

"  You  are  a  good  woman,  Mrs.  Fugitt ;  and  now  to  busi 
ness.  I,  as  guardian  to  that  child,  wish  to  make  some  defi 
nite  arrangement  for  her  support  for  the  next  two  years  at 
least." 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Do  you  know  lawyer  Sheridan  ?  " 

"  Of  course  I  do,  sir ;  he  drawed  up  the  papers  between 
the  Colonel  and  my  old  man  when  my  old  man  made  an 
engagement  with  the  Colonel  to  oversee  the  plantation  for 
five  years." 

"  Very  well.  This  Mr.  Sheridan  will  pay  you  quarterly 
installments  of  money  amounting  to  six  hundred  dollars  a 
year  for  the  support  of  the  child." 

The  overseer's  wife  was  a  very  simple-hearted  woman,  so 
she  burst  out,  with  her  surprise : 

"  But  that  is  a  great  deal  of  money,  sir.  More  than 
twice  too  much." 


804  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

"  I  do  not  think  so.  The  child  is  entitled  to  much  more, 
if  she  could  use  it.  At  any  rate,  that  is  her  allowance. 
And  here  is  the  first  quarterly  payment  in  advance,"  said 
Mr.  Berners,  placing  a  roll  of  bank-notes  on  the  woman's 
lap. 

"  But,  sir,  I  have  n't  used  a  quarter  part  of  what  the 
other  gentleman  paid  me.  In  truth,  I  only  spent  what  I 
did  to  buy  the  baby's  clothes,  of  which  she  had  n't  a  rag 
but  what  was  on  her  when  the  other  gentleman  put  her  in 
my  arms." 

"  So  much  the  more  reason  I  should  advance  you  this 
money." 

"  Why  ?   because  I  have  got  so  much  already,  sir  ?  " 

" — Because  you  are  so  simple  and  honest.  Few  people 
would  believe  in  such  simplicity  and  honesty,  Mrs.  Fugitt." 

"  Then  Lord  forgive  'em,  sir." 

"  Amen.  And  now,  Mrs.  Fugitt,  a  last  word,  and  then 
good-bye.  If  you  should  ever  wish  to  communicate  with 
me,  you  may  do  it  by  inclosing  a  letter  to  Mr.  Sheridan,  or 
sending  a  message  by  him." 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  And  now  let  me  take  another  look  at  this  little  one." 

"  But  there  is  another  thing,  sir  :  What  is  her  name  ?  I 
asked  the  gentleman,  and  he  said  he  did  not  know,  but  ycm 
would  tell  me." 

"'Her  name?'"  repeated  Lyon  Berners,  as  he  gazed 
down  upon  the  face  of  the  sleeping  child — the  prison-born 
child — "  Her  name  ?  It  is  Ingemisca ;  call  her  Ingernisca." 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  the  woman  in  a  very  low  tone,  for  she 
was  awed  by  the  looks  and  words  of  the  speaker — "  Yes, 
sir ;  but  would  you  please  to  write  it  on  a  slip  of  paper  ? 
It  is  a  strange,  solemn  sort  of  a  sound,  and  I  'm  sure  I 
never  could  remember  it." 

Lyon  Berners  tore  a  page  from  his  tablets,  wrote  the 
name  in  pencil,  and  handed  it  to  her. 


WHAT     THE      LETTER      CONTAINED.       805 

Then  he  kissed  his  infant  daughter,  breathed  a  silent 
blessing  over  her,  and  took  his  leave. 

He  returned  to  Black  Hall,  well  satisfied  with  the  woman, 
in  whose  care  he  had  left  his  child. 

That  afternoon  he  dined  with  his  friends  for  the  last 
time  for  many  years.  That  evening,  with  their  assistance, 
he  concluded  the  very  last  business  he  had  to  transact, 
before  leaving  his  home  and  country. 

Beatrix  Pendleton  had  been  busy  all  day,  looking  up  and 
packing  up  Sybil's  costly  jewels,  laces,  and  shawls.  Valua 
ble  as  they  all  were,  they  filled  but  a  small  trunk,  which 
Miss  Pendleton  assured  Mr.  Berners  he  could  easily  put 
inside  his  great  sea-chest  without  crowding  out  other 
things. 

Beatrix  Peudleton  and  Minnie  Sheridan  volunteered  to 
remain  at  Black  Hall  for  a  few  days  after  the  departure  of 
the  proprietor,  to  see  that  all  things  were  properly  set  in 
order. 

Among  the  last  arrangements  made  was  that  by  which 
honest  Robert  Munson,  the  young  soldier  who  had  befriended 
Sybil  Berners,  was  appointed  assistant  overseer  of  the  plan 
tation,  with  the  use  of  a  cottage  and  garden,  and  with  a 
considerable  salary. 

All  the  arrangements  for  the  voyage  of  Mr.  Berners,  and 
the  management  of  the  manor  during  his  absence,  were 
completed  that  evening. 

The  next  morning  Mr.  Berners  accompanied  by  his 
friends,  Captain  Pendleton  and  lawyer  Sheridan,  set  out  for 
Blackville,  to  meet  the  stage-coach  for  Baltimore. 

There,  at  the  stage-office,  Mr.  Berners  took  leave  of 
lawyer  Sheridan,  but  not  of  Captain  Pendleton,  who  made 
up  his  mind,  at  the  last  moment,  to  accompany  him  as  far 
as  the  sea-port,  and  to  see  him  off  on  his  voyage. 

After   two  days'  journey,  the  friends  arrived  safely  ia 
Baltimore. 
19 


806  TRIED     FOR      HER      LIFE- 

On  consulting  the  shipping  list,  they  found  the  fast  sail 
ing  clipper  Dispatch,  Captain  Fleet,  advertised  to  sail  for 
Liverpool  the  same  afternoon. 

Lyon  Berners,  with  his  friend,  hastened  to  the  agent  to 
secure  his  passage,  which  he  was  so  fortunate  as  to  get. 

He  had  barely  time  to  harry  his  luggage  on  board  before 
the  clipper  set  sail. 

The  very  last  words  addressed  to  Mr.  Berners  by  his 
friend  Captain  Pendleton  were  these  : 

a  Give  our  love  to  Mrs.  Berners,  and  tell  her  that  Beatrix 
and  myself  will  follow  you  soon.  Heaven  bless  you  with 
good  lack  I" 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

ATTXK   THE    EXPATRIATION 
And  mrs  wot  1*.  nd  the  tal*  a* 


A  WITS,  after  Lyon  Berners  went  away  Captain  Pendle- 
ton  resigned  his  commission  in  the  army,  placed  the  man 
agement  of  his  estate  in  the  hands  of  lawyer  Sheridan,  and, 
accompanied  b  .  Miss  Pendleton,  left  the  neighborhood  for 
Baltimore,  whence  he  sailed  for  Liverpool. 

After  this  departure  the  secret  of  Sybil's  escape  was 
known  bet  to  two  persons  in  the  valley  —  to  Mr.  Sheridan, 
whose  very  profimon  made  him  reticent,  and  to  Miss 
Tabby,  who  would  have  died  rather  than  have  divulged  it 

Mr.  Sheridan  managed  the  manor,  Miss  Tabby  kept  the 
house,  and  both  guarded  the  secret. 

Bat  great  was  the  wonder  and  wild  were  the  conjecture* 
among  the  people  of  the  valley  on  the  subjects  of  Sybil's 
mysterious  disappearance,  Lyon's  sodden  voyage,  and  Clem- 
eat  and  Beatrix  Peudleton'*  eccentric  conduct  in  following 
him. 


AFTER     THE     EXPATKIATIOH.  307 

Opinions  were  as  various  as  characters. 

Some  came  near  the  troth  in  expressing  their  belief  that 
Sybil  had  been  rescued  on  the  night  of  the  flood,  aauefted 
for  awhile  in  the  neighborhood,  and  then  "  spirited  "  away 
by  her  friends ;  that  she  was  safe  in  some  foreign  country, 
and  that  her  husband  and  her  two  friends  had  gone  to  join 
her. 

Others  whispered  that  Sybil  had  been  drowned  in  the 
flood ;  that  Lyon  Berners.  finding  himself  a  widower,  had 
proposed  for  Beatrix  Pendleton,  with  whom  he  had  always 
been  in  lore,  and  that  he  had  been  accepted  by  her ;  that 
they  had  been  anxious  to  marry  immediately ;  bat  ashamed 
to  do  so,  so  soon  after  the  tragic  death  of  Sybil,  and  in  her 
ovrn  neighborhood ;  and  so  they  had  gone  abroad  to  be 
united,  and  to  spend  the  first  year  of  their  wedded  lives. 

These  and  many  other  speculations  were  rife  among  the 
neighbors,  and  the  "Hallow  Eve  Mystery,"  deepened  by 
recent  events,  formed  the  subject  of  conversation  of  never- 
flagging  interest,  at  every  country  fireside  that  winter. 

lu  the  midst  of  all  this,  Miss  Tabby  Winterose  lived  her 
quiet,  dull,  whimpering  life  at  Black  Hall,  carefully  keeping 
the  house,  waited  on  by  Aunt  Mopsa,  guarded  by  Joe,  and 
solaced  by  little  Cromartie,  who  had  been  left  in  her  care. 

Dilly,  Sybil's  own  maid,  had  been  taken  abroad  by  Mia* 
Pendleton,  which  fact  gave  additional  scandal  to  the 
gossips. 

-  The  impudence  of  her ! "  they  said,  « to  take  die  late 
Mrs.  Berners'  very  maid,  before  even  she  had  fairly  married 
the  widower." 

All  this,  when  it  came  to  Miss  Tabby's  ears,  made  that 
faithful  but  desponding  soul  whimper  all  the  mote. 

Miss  Tabby  had  but  few  recreations  at  Black  HalL 
Going  to  church  every  Sunday  in  the  old  carryall,  with  little 
Cro'  by  her  side  and  Joe  on  the  box,  was  her  "most 
chicles:/ 


308  TRIED     FOR      HER      LIFE. 

Then  once  a  month  or  so,  she  went  to  take  tea  with  her 
parents  and  sister  ;  or  she  walked  over  to  spend  an  after 
noon  at  the  cottage  occupied  by  Robert  Munson,  who  had 
married  Rachel,  the  pretty  daughter  of  that  Norfolk  inn 
keeper,  who  had  been  Lyon's  and  Sybil's  host  at  the  time 
of  their  first  flight. 

And  sometimes  Miss  Tabby  had  both  these  families  up 
at  Black  Hall,  to  pass  a  day  with  her. 

But  wherever  Miss  Tabby  went,  she  always  took  little 
Cro' ;  and  whoever  came  to  the  house  had  to  make  much  of 
the  child,  or  get  little  favor  from  his  "  aunty." 

As  for  Joe,  Robert  Munson,  and  other  of  Sybil's  devoted 
friends,  they  felt,  in  their  secret  hearts,  that  Sybil  was  safe 
in  foreign  parts,  and  that  her  husband  and  friends  had  gone 
to  join  her;  but  as  no  one  had  actually  imparted  this  intel 
ligence  to  them,  they  never  talked  over  the  subject  except 
among  themselves. 

Thus  passed  the  winter;  but  with  the  opening  of  the 
spring,  an  event  occurred  that  for  a  while  even  superseded 
the  "  Hallow  Eve  Mystery,"  in  the  fever  of  curiosity  and 
interest  it  excited  in  the  valley. 

The  great  Dubarry  manor,  so  long  held  in  abeyance,  was 
claimed ! — claimed  by  a  gentleman  in  right  of  his  wife— 
claimed  by  no  less  a  person  than  Mr.  Horace  Blondelle, 
once  the  husband  and  afterwards  the  widower  of  that  beau 
tiful  Rosa  Blondelle  who  had  been  so  mysteriously  mur 
dered  at  Black  Hall,  and  now  the  bridegroom  of  Gentiliska, 
the  great-granddaughter  and  only  lineal  descendant  and 
heiress  of  Philip  Dubarry  and  Gentiliska  his  wife. 

During  the  investigation  of  this  claim,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Horace  Blondelle  occupied  a  handsome  suite  of  apartments 
at  the  Blackville  Hotel,  and  made  themselves  very  popular 
by  the  elegant  little  dinners  and  suppers  they  gave,  and  the 
like  of  which  had  never  before  been  seen  in  that  plain  vil 
lage. 


A  F  T  E  II      THE      EXPATRIATION.  309 

When  their  case  came  on  for  a  hearing,  there  was  but 
little  opposition  to  the  claimants,  whose  legal  right  to  the 
manor  was  soon  proved  by  the  documents  they  held  in  their 
possession,  and  firmly  established. 

When  the  case  was  decided  in  their  favor,  Mr.  Horace 
Blondelle  rented  Pendleton  Park,  which  had  been  to  let 
ever  since  the  departure  of  its  owner. 

And  in  that  well-furnished  mansion  on  that  well- 
cultivated  plantation  he  settled  down  with  his  pretty 
young  bride  to  the  respectable  life  of  a  country  gentleman. 

His  residence  in  the  neighborhood  gave  quite  an  impetus 
to  the  local  business. 

The  very  first  thing  that  he  did,  after  his  settlement  at 
Pendleton  Park,  was  to  advertise,  through  the  columns  of 
the  "  Blackville  Banner,"  that  he  intended  to  rebuild  the 
Dubarry  mansion,  and  was  ready  to  employ  the  necessary 
artisans  at  liberal  wages. 

This  gave  great  satisfaction  to  the  laboring  classes,  who 
were  half  their  time  pining  in  idleness,  and  the  other  half 
working  at  famine  prices. 

But  such  a  "reconstruction"  was  a  gigantic  undertak 
ing.  There  was  a  wilderness  to  be  cleared,  a  desert  to  be 
reclaimed,  a  mansion  to  be  rebuilt,  and  a  chapel  to  be 
restored. 

All  the  carpenters,  stone-cutters,  bricklayers,  plasterers, 
pointers  and  glaziers,  upholsterers  and  decorators,  as  well 
as  ornaireutal  gardeners  and  agricultural  laborers  that  could 
be  found,  were  at  once  employed  at  generous  wages. 

And  the  work  went  on  merrily,  and  the  people  blessed 
Horace  Blondelle. 

But  during  the  progress  of  the  work,  a  discovery  was 
made  that  changed  the  whole  plan  of  the  proprietor's  life. 

In  the  course  of  clearing  the  grounds,  the  workmen 
found  a  spring,  whose  water  was  so  particularly  nasty  that 
they  at  once  suspected  it  to  possess  curative  qualities  of  the 
greatest  value,  and  so  reported  it  to  the  proprietor. 


810  TRIED      FOR     HER     LIFE. 

Horace  Blondelle  invited  the  local  medical  faculty  to 
taste  the  waters  of  the  spring,  and  their  report  was  so  fav 
orable  that  he  bottled  up  a  gallon  of  it,  and  sent  it  to  an 
eminent  chemist  of  New  York,  to  be  analyzed. 

In  due  time  the  analysis  was  returned.  The  water  of 
the  spring,  it  showed,  was  strongly  impregnated  with  a  half 
dozen,  more  or  less,  of  he  most  nauseous  minerals  known  to 
the  pharmaceutists,  and  therefore  were  of  the  highest 
medicinal  virtues. 

The  recent  discovery  of  this  invaluable  spring  on  the 
home  grounds,  together  with  the  long  known  existence  of 
the  magnificent  cavern,  or  chain  of  caverns,  in  the  adjacent 
mountains,  determined  Mr.  Horace  Blondelle  to  alter  his 
whole  scheme — to  abandon  the  role  of  country  gentleman, 
which  a  very  short  experience  proved  to  be  too  "slow"  for 
his  "fast"  tastes,  and  to  adopt  that  of  the  proprietor  of  a 
great  watering-place,  and  summer  resort. 

And  so,  instead  of  rebuilding  the  family  mansion,  he 
built  a  large  hotel  on  the  Dubarry  manor,  and  instead  of 
restoring  the  chapel,  he  erected  a  pavilion  over  the  spring. 

This  was  not  only  at  the  time  a  very  popular  measure,  but 
it  proved  in  the  event  a  very  great  success. 

That  summer  and  autumn  saw  other  changes  in  the 
vallej*. 

First  old  Mr  Winterose,  the  overseer  of  the  Black  Valley 
manor,  died  a  calm  and  Christian  death. 

Young  Robert  Munson  succeeded  him  in  office. 

Next  lawyer  Sheridan  received  an  appointment  from  the 
President  as  consul  at  a  certain  English  seaport;  and,  no 
doubt  with  the  consent  of  the  proprietors,  he  transferred  the 
management  of  the  Black  Valley  manor  to  old  lawyer 
Closeby  of  Blackville.  And  then,  with  his  sister,  he  went 
abroad. 

Then,  on  the  thirty-first  of  October  of  that  year,  old 
Mrs.  Winterose  and  her  eldest  daughter  Libby  received  aa 


AFTER     THE      EXPATRIATION.  311 

order  to  remove  from  their  cottage  and  take  up  their  resi 
dence  with  Miss  Tabby  at  Black  Hall. 

The  next  spring,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Horace  Blondelle  removed 
to  the  "Dubarry  Hotel,"  at  the  "Dubarry  White  Sulphur 
Springs,"  as  the  place  was  now  christened,  and  there  they 
commenced  preparations  for  the  summer  campaign. 

Mr.  Horace  Blondelle,  was  much  too  "  sharp "  not  to  un 
derstand  the  importance  of  advertising.  He  advertised 
very  largely  in  the  newspapers,  and  he  also  employed  agents 
to  distribute  beautiful  little  illustrated  books,  descriptive  of 
the  various  attractions  of  the  "  Dubarry  White  Sulphur 
Springs,"  the  salubrious  and  delightful  climate,  the  sublime 
and  beautiful  scenery,  the  home  comforts  of  the  hotel,  and 
the  healing  powers  of  the  water. 

All  these  were  so  successfully  set  forth  that  even  in  this 
first  season  the  house  was  so  well  filled  with  guests  that  the 
proprietor  determined  that,  before  another  season  should  roll 
around,  he  would  build  a  hundred  or  so  of  cottages  to  ac 
commodate  the  great  accession  of  visitors  he  had  every 
reason  to  expect. 

Another  brisk  season  of  work  blessed  the  poor  people  of 
the  place.  And  by  the  next  summer  a  hundred  and  fifty 
white  cottages  were  here  and  there  on  the  rocks,  in  the 
woods,  by  the  streams,  or  in  the  glens  around  the  great 
hotel ;  and  the  "  Dubarry  White  Sulphur  Springs  "  grew  to 
look  like  a  thriving  village  on  the  mountains. 

The  profits  justified  the  expenditures;  that  second 
summer  the  place  was  crowded  with  visitors  ;  and  the  lonely 
and  quiet  neighborhood  of  the  Black  Valley  became,  for  the 
time,  as  populous  and  as  noisy  as  is  now  Niagara  or  New 
port. 

In  fact,  from  the  advent  of  Mr.  Horace  Blondelle,  and 
the  inauguration  of  the  "  Dubarry  White  Sulphur  Springs," 
the  whole  character  of  the  place  was  changed." 

All  summer,  from  the  first  of  June  to  the  first  of  Sep- 


812  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

tember,  it  would  be  a  scene  of  fashion,  gayety,  confusion, 
and  excitement. 

But  all  the  winter,  from  the  first  of  October  until  the 
first  of  June,  it  is  happily  true  that  it  would  return  to  it3 
aboriginal  solitude  and  stillness. 

Mr.  Horace  Blondelle  was  making  money  very  fast  in 
deed. 

The  life  suited  him.  Many  people  called  him  a  gambler 
and  a  blackleg,  and  said  that  he  fleeced  his  guests  in  more 
ways  than  one. 

The  haughtiest  among  the  old  aristocratic  families  cut 
him,  not  because  he  was  a  gambler — for,  oh  dear !  it  too  often 
happened  that  their  own  fathers,  brothers,  husbands,  or 
sons  were  gamblers  ! — but  because  he  kept  a  hotel  and  took 
in  money ! 

Notwithstanding  this  exclusion  from  companionship  with 
certain  families,  Mr.  Horace  Blondelle  led  a  very  gay, 
happy,  and  prosperous  life. 

We  see  and  grieve  over  this  sort  of  thing  very  frequently 
in  the  course  of  our  lives.  We  fret  that  the  wicked  man 
should  "  flourish  like  a  green  bay  tree,"  and  we  forget  that 
the  time  must  come  when  he  will  be  cut  down  and  cast  into 
the  fire. 

That  time  was  surely  coming  for  Mr.  Horace  Blondelle. 

Meanwhile  be  "  flourished." 

The  third  season  of  the  "Dubarry  White  Sulphur 
Springs,''  was  even  more  successful  than  its  forerunners  had 
been. 

People  were  possessed  with  a  furor  for  the  nasty  waters 
and  flocked  by  thousands  to  the  neighborhood. 

But  the  autumn  of  that  year  was  marked  by  other  eveuta 
of  more  importance  to  this  story. 

First,  in  the  opening  of  the  fall  term  of  the  Blackville 
Academy  for  young  gentlemen,  Iaw3^er  Closeby  came  to 
Black  ?Iall.  armed  with  the  authority  of  Mr.  Lyon  Berners, 


GUARDIANS  OF  THE  OLD  HOUSE. 

and  straightway  took  little  Cromartie,  now  a  lad  of  seven 
years  of  age,  out  of  the  hands  of  Miss  Tabby,  and  placed 
him  in  those  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Smith,  dominie  and  matron 
of  the  academy,  for  education. 

Miss  Tabby  mourned  over  the  partial  loss  of  her  favorite, 
but  was  consoled  on  the  very  next  Hallow  Eve,  when  a 
beautiful  babe  was  left  at  her  door. 

And  now  that  years  have  passed,  we  approach  the  time 
when  the  great  Hallow  Eve  Mystery  was  destined  to  be  a 
mystery  no  longer. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

THE    GUARDIANS    OP   THE   OLD   HOUSE. 

On  every  lip  a  speechless  horror  hung, 
On  every  brow  the  burden  of  affliction; 

The  old  ancestral  spirits  knew  and  felt 
The  house's  malediction. — THOMAS  HOOD. 

TIME  does  but  deepen  the  gloom  that  hangs  over  an  old 
mansion  where  a  heinous  crime  has  been  committed,  an  awful 
tragedy  enacted. 

As  the  years  darkened  over  the  old  Black  Hall,  the  house 
fell  to  be  regarded  as  a  place  haunted  and  accursed. 

But  as  there  is  a  certain  weird  attraction  in  the  horrible, 
the  old  Black  Hall  came  to  be  the  greatest  object  of  morbid 
interest  in  the  neighborhood,  greater  even  than  the  magnifi 
cent  caverns,  or  the  miraculous  springs. 

The  crowds  of  visitors  who  came  down  to  the  "  Dubarry 
White  Sulphur  "  every  summer,  after  tasting  the  waters  of 
the  spring  and  exploring  the  beauties  of  the  caverns,  inva 
riably  drove  down  the  banks  of  the  Black  River  to  where 
it  broadened  into  the  Black  Lake,  from  whose  dark  borders 
arose  the  sombre  wood  that  shadowed  the  mountain's  side, 


314  TRIED      FOR     HER     LIFE. 

and  from  whose  obscure  depths  loomed  up  the  gloomy  struc 
ture  now  known  as  Black  Hall,  the  deserted  home  of  the 
haughty  Berners,  the  haunted  and  accursed  mansion. 

Here,  on  the  murky  borders  of  the  lake,  the  visitors 
would  draw  up  their  carriages,  to  sit  and  gaze  upon  the 
fatal  edifice,  and  listen  to  the  story  of  that  awful  Hallow 
Eve,  when  the  fiery-hearted  young  wife  was  driven  by  jeal 
ousy  to  desperation,  and  her  fair  young  rival  was  murdered 
in  her  chamber. 

"  And  on  every  Hallow  Eve,"  their  informant  would 
continue — "  on  every  Hallow  Eve,  at  midnight  deep,  the 
spirit  of  the  murdered  guest  might  be  seen  flying  through 
the  house  pursued  by  the  spirit  of  the  vengeful  wife." 

Visitors  never  penetrated  into  the  wood  that  surrounded 
and  nearly  concealed  the  mansion,  much  less  ventured  near 
that  mansion  itself. 

The  place  was  guarded  by  three  old  women,  they  were 
told,  weird  as  Macbeth's  witches,  and  who  discouraged  all 
approach  to  their  abode. 

So  solitary  and  deserted  were  the  house  and  its  inmates, 
that  every  path  leading  through  the  forest  towards  its  doors 
was  overgrown  and  obliterated,  except  one — a  little  narrow 
bridle-path  leading  from  the  house  through  the  woods,  and 
out  upon  the  Blackville  road.  This  was  kept  open  by  the 
weekly  rides  of  old  Joe,  who  went  every  Saturday  to  the  vil 
lage  to  lay  in  the  groceries  for  the  use  of  the  family  ;  by  the 
three  old  women,  who,  seated  on  their  safe  old  horses,  went 
in  solemn  procession  every  Sunday  to  church  ;  by  the  young 
Cromartie,  who  came  trotting  on  his  fiery  steed  once  a 
mouth  to  visit  his  old  friends ;  and  by  old  lawyer  Closeby, 
who  came  ambling  on  his  sedate  cob  every  quarter-day  to 
inspect  the  premises  and  pay  the  people. 

No  other  passengers  but  these  ever  disturbed  the  stillness 
of  the  forest  path  ;  no  other  forms  than  these  ever  darkened 
the  doors  of  Black  Hall.  A  gloomy  place  to  live  in  I 


GUARDIANS     OF    THE    OLD     HOUSE.        315 

gloomy  enough  for  the  three  quiet  old  women — too  gloomy 
for  the  bright  young  girl  who  was  growing  up  to  woman 
hood  under  its  shadows. 

And  never  was  the  place  darker,  drearier,  or  more  de 
pressing  in  its  aspect  than  on  a  certain  Hallow  Eve,  some 
fifteen  years  or  more  after  the  disappearance  of  Sybil  Ber- 
ners  and  the  self-expatriation  of  her  devoted  friends. 

All  day  long  the  sky  had  been  overcast  by  low,  dark 
leaden-hued  clouds  ;  the  rain  had  fallen  in  dull  drizzle ;  and 
when  the  vailed  sun  sunk  beneath  the  horizon,  the  darkness 
of  night  was  added  to  the  darkness  of  clouds. 

A  dismal  night !  dismal  without,  and  even  more  dismal 
within ! 

The  three  old  guardians  of  the  premises  lived  in  the  left 
wing  of  the  house,  which  corresponded  exactly  with  the  right 
wing  once  occupied  on  the  first  floor  by  the  unfortunate 
Rosa  Blondelle  with  her  child  and  nurse,  and  on  the  second 
floor  by  Sybil  Berners  and  her  maid. 

The  old  women  had  chosen  the  left  wing  partly  because 
it  had  always  been  occupied  by  Miss  Tabby,  who  used  the 
lower  floor  for  housekeeper's  room  and  store-room,  and  the 
second  floor  as  a  bedchamber  and  linen  closet,  but  chiefly 
because  it  was  the  furthest  removed  from  the  right  wing, 
the  scene  of  the  murder,  and  now  the  rumored  resort  of 
ghosts. 

On  this  dismal  but  eventful  Hallow  Eve  of  which  I  now 
write,  the  three  old  women,  their  early  tea  over,  were 
gathered  around  the  fire  in  the  lower  room  of  this  left 
wing. 

It  was  a  long,  low  room,  with  a  broad  fireplace  in  the 
lower  end.  It  was  furnished  in  very  plain  country  style. 
The  walls  were  colored  with  a  red  ochre  wash  somewhat 
duller  than  paint.  The  windows  had  blinds  made  of  cheap 
flowered  wall  paper.  The  floor  was  covered  with  a  plaid 
woolen  carpet,  the  work  of  old  Mrs.  Winterose's  wheel  and 


816  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

loom.  A  corner  cupboard  with  glass  doors,  through  which 
could  be  seen  rows  of  blue  delf  dishes  and  piles  of  white 
tea-cups  and  saucers,  occupied  the  corner  on  the  right  of  the 
fireplace ;  the  old-fashioned,  coffin-like,  tall  eight-day  clock 
stood  in  the  corner  on  the  left-hand  side.  Flag-bottomed 
wooden  chairs  flanked  the  walls.  At  the  upper  end  of  the 
room  stood  an  old-time  chest  of  drawers.  On  the  right-hand 
corner  of  this  end,  a  door  opened  upon  a  flight  of  stairs 
leading  to  the  floor  above.  On  the  left-hand  corner  a  door 
opened  into  a  back  room,  with  a  little  back  porch,  vine 
covered. 

There  was  a  large  spinning-wheel  near  the  stair  door,  and 
at  it  the  young  ward  of  Mrs.  Wiuterose  stood  spinning. 

Before  the  fire  stood  a  plain  deal  table,  and  on  it  a  brass 
candlestick  supporting  one  tallow  candle,  that  gave  but  a 
dim  light  to  the  three  old  ladies  who  sat  before  the  dull, 
smouldering  green  wood  fire  and  worked.  Old  Mrs.  Win- 
terose  occupied  her  arm-chair,  between  the  end  of  the  table 
and  the  fireside  near  the  corner  cupboard.  She  was  carding 
rolls  of  white  wool  for  the  spinner. 

Miss  Libby  sat  at  the  other  end  of  the  table,  reeling  off 
blue  yarn  from  broaches  that  had  just  been  drawn  off  the 
spindle. 

Miss  Tabby  was  squeezed  into  the  chimney  corner  next 
her  sister,  knitting  a  gray  stocking. 

There  was  a  deep  silence,  broken  only  by  the  sighing  of 
the  wind  through  the  leafless  trees  without,  the  pattering  of 
the  rain  against  the  windows,  the  whirr  of  the  spinning- 
wheel  at  the  foot,  of  the  stairs,  the  simmering  of  the  given 
logs  that  refused  to  blaze,  and  the  audible  snivelling  of  Miss 
Tabby. 

The  silence  grew  so  oppressive  that  Miss  Tabby,  like  the 
child  in  the  Quaker  meeting,  felt  that  she  must  speak,  or 
sob,  or  suffocate. 

"  Hallow  Eve  again,"  she  sighed,  "  it  have  come  round 


GUARDIANS     OF     THE     OLD     HOUSE.        817 

once  more  since  that  awful  night,  which  I  shall  never  be  rid 
on  seeing  it  before  me — no,  not  if  I  live  to  be  as  old  as 
Methusalah  !  And  oh,  what  gloomy  weather  !  How  the 
wind  do  moan  and  the  rain  do  pour  'round  the  old  house  ! 
Just  like  heaving  sighs  and  steaming  tears !  And  as  for 
me,  I  never  feel  like  nothing  but  sighs  and  tears  myself 
whenever  this  most  doleful  night  comes  round  again." 

And  suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  the  speaker  drew  a 
deep  breath  and  wiped  her  eyes. 

"  Tabby,  you  're  always  a  whimpering.  When  'tan't  about 
one  thing  'tis  about  another.  Seems  to  me  a  woman  of  your 
age,  turned  fifty,  ought  to  have  more  sense  !  "  sharply  com- 
me'nted  old  Mrs.  Winterose,  as  she  took  a  roll  of  wool  from 
her  card  and  placed  it  softly  on  a  pile  of  others  that  lay  upou, 
the  table. 

"  I  can 't  help  of  it,  mother.  I  can 't,  indeed.  Whenever 
this  most  doleful  night  do  come  round  again,  I  feel  that  low 
sperreted  I  do  n't  know  what  to  do.  And  it  is  just  such  a 
night  as  that  night  was.  Everything  so  miserable,  outside 
and  in.  The  wind  moaning  and  the  rain  drizzling  out 
there,  and  in  here  the  fire  not  burning,  but  just  smouldering 
and  smoking  as  if  it  was  low-sperreted  too  ! "  sighed  Miss 
Tabby. 

"  I  '11  soon  raise  the  fire's  sperrits,"  said  the  old  lady, 
briskly  rising  and  seizing  the  poker,  and  giving  the  logs  a 
good  lunge  and  lift,  that  sent  up  a  shower  of  sparks  and  a 
sheet  of  flame,  lighting  the  whole  room  with  the  brightness 
of  day. 

The  effect  was  as  transient  as  it  was  brilliant,  however. 
The  sparks  expired  in  their  upward  flight,  and  the  flame  died 
down  again,  leaving  the  logs  simmering  as  before. 

"  There,  now,  you  see  how  it  is,  mother.  The  very  fire 
feels  the  time,"  sighed  Miss  Tabby. 

"  Fiddle  !  it  is  only  because  the  wood  is  green.  I  '11  cure 
that  too.  I  '11  make  lame-legged  Joe  gather  a  heap  of  pine 


SIS  TRIED      FOR      HER      LIFE. 

con  PS,  lhat  will  burn  the  greenest  wood  as  ever  sulked  on  a 
hearth,"  chirped  the  blithe  old  lady,  as  she  set  the  poker  in 
its  place. 

And  then  she  went  to  the  back  door  of  the  back  room,  and 
standing  on  the  covered  porch,  called  out : 

"  Joe,  Joe,  fetch  in  a  basket  of  pine  cones  to  make  the  fire 
burn ! » 

A  rumbling  noise  a  little  resembling  a  human  voice  was 
heard  in  the  distance,  and  the  old  lady  shut  the  door,  returned 
to  her  seat,  and  resumed  her  reeling. 

"I — don't  feel  to  think  it  is  the  firewood,  mother;  I — I 
think  it  is  the  souls,"  slowly  and  solemnly  announced  Miss 
Libby,  who  had  not  spoken  before. 

"  The  what  ?  What  in  patience  are  you  talking  about, 
Libby  ?  "  severely  demanded  the  old  lady,  as  she  briskly 
wound  off  her  yarn. 

"  The  souls,  mother,  the  souls — the  souls  that  do  wander 
about  without  rest  on  this  awful  night." 

*'  Well,  I  do  think,"  gravely  began  the  aged  woman,  lay 
ing  down  the  ball  she  was  winding,  and  taking  off  her  spec 
tacles,  that  she  might  speak  with  the  more  impressiveness, 
"  I  do  really  think,  of  all  the  foolish  women  in  this  foolish 
world,  my  two  daughters  is  the  foolishest !  Here  's  Tabby 
always  whimpering  about  the  sorrowful  things  in  this  world, 
and  Libby  always  whispering  about  the  supernatural  things 
in  t'other  !  If  you  had  both  on  you  married  twenty  or  thirty 
years  ago,  you  would  n't  be  so  full  of  whimsies  now  !  But, 
Libby,  as  the  oldest  of  the  two,  and  a  woman  nigh  sixty 
years  of  age,  you  really  ought  to  set  a  better  example  to  your 
sister." 

And  having  delivered  this  little  lecture,  old  Mrs.  Win- 
terose  replaced  her  spectacles  on  her  nose,  and  resumed  her 
reeling. 

"  It 's  all  very  well  for  you  to  talk  that  a  way,  mother,  and 
it 's  all  very  right ;  but  for  all  that,  you  know  as  how  the 


GUARDIANS  OF  THE  OLD  HOUSE. 

old  folks  do  say,  as  on  this  awful  night,  of  all  the  nights  in 
the  year,  the  '  churchyards  yawn  and  the  graves  give  up 
their  dead,'  and  the  unsheltered  souls  do  wander  restlessly 
over  the  earth  ;  and  though  we  may  not  see  them,  they 
come  in  at  our  doors  and  stand  beside  us  or  hover  over  us  all 
the  night.  Ugh  !  It  do  make  me  feel  as  if  ice  water  was 
a  trickling  down  my  backbone  only  to  think  of  it !  For 
what  if  as  how  her  soul  was  a  wandering  about  here  now  ! " 
continued  Miss  Libby,  solemnly  clasping  her  hands  and  roll 
ing  up  her  pale-blue  eyes.  "  Yes  !  what  if  as  how  her  soul 
was  a  wandering  about  here  now — here,  where,  all  unpre 
pared  to  go,  on  just  such  a  dismal  Hallow  Eve  as  this,  it  was 
wiolently  druv  out  'n  her  body !  Ah  !  good  land  !  what  was 
that  ?  "  suddenly  exclaimed  Miss  Libby,  breaking  off  with  a 
half-suppressed  scream. 

"  It  was  nothing  but  Gem's  wheel  stopping  suddenly,  as 
her  thread  snapped,  you  goose,"  said  the  old  lady. 

"  Ah !  but  it  sounded  just  like  an  awful  groan,  as  it 
might  be  an  echo  of  her  dying  groan  as  her  soul  fled  from 
the  body,  and  rewived  by  memory,  if  so  be  she  should  be 
walking  now,"  shuddered  Miss  Libby. 

"  And  surely,  if  any  soul  ever  did  wander  over  the  earth 
anywhere,  at  any  time,  her  soul,  of  all  souls,  would  wander 
in  this  place  of  all  places,  on  this  night  of  all  nights,  when 
she—" 

"  Hush,  for  Heaven's  dear  sake,  both  of  you  ! "  exclaim 
ed  the  old  lady.  "  Tabby  is  so  sentimental  and  Libby  is  so 
superstitious,  that  what  with  the  snivelling  of  one  of  you 
and  the  shuddering  of  the  other,  and  the  talking  of  both,  I 
should  get  the  horrors  myself  if  it  were  n't  for  Gem,  my 
bright  Gem  there,  humming  a  tune  to  her  humming 
wheel ! "  said  the  old  lady,  with  an  affectionate  glance  to 
wards  the  young  girl.  "And  I  wonder,"  she  added, 
"  what  has  become  of  Joe  ?  I  should  n't  wonder  if  the 
poor  fellow  had  gone  out  to  the  pine  woods  to  collect  the 


320  TRIED      FOR     HER     LIFE. 

cones.  But  now,  Tabby  and  Libby,  let  me  hear  no  more 
of  your  snivelling  and  shivering." 

"  But  I  can 't  help  of  it,  mother.  I  should  die  if  I 
did  n't  cry.  Hallow  Eve,  especially  a  dark,  drizzly,  windy, 
dreary  Hallow  Eve  like  this,  always  brings  back  that  awful 
night  so  wividly  again.  I  seem  to  see  it  all  again.  I  seem 
to  see  my  child,  raging  and  burning  like  the  Spirit  of  Fire 
she  called  herself.  I  seem  to  hear  that  piercing  shriek  that 
woke  up  all  the  house.  I  seem  to  meet  that  flying  form  in 
the  flowing  white  dress,  and  with  the  scared  and  pallid  face. 
I  seem  to  feel  the  hot  blood  flowing  down  upon  my  hands 
and  face,  as  I  caught  her  in  my  arms  and  tried  to  stop  her, 
when  she  broke  from  me  and  fled  screaming  into  the  libra 
ry,  and  threw  herself  upon  Lyon  Berners'  breast,  dying. 
How  can  I  help  it  ?  How  can  I  help  it  ?  "  cried  Miss 
Tabby  with  a  burst  of  tears. 

"  It  is  her  spirit  a  hovering  over  you,  and  impressing  on 
you,  Tabitha,"  solemnly  whispered  Miss  Libby. 

"  I  should  n't  wonder  !  no,  I  should  n't  wonder  the  least 
in  the  world,"  assented  Miss  Tabby,  with  a  serious  nod  of 
her  head. 

"  And  remember,  Tabby,  that  her  murderer  is  still  at 
large,  and  her  spirit  cannot  rest  until  that  murderer  is 
brought  to  justice,"  whispered  Miss  Libby. 

"  Ah,  but  who  was  her  murderer  ?  Surely  Elizabeth 
Winterose,  you  do  not  dare  to  hint  as  it  was  my  darling, 
that  beautiful  and  noble  lady  who  was  so  nearly  executed 
for  the  crime  she  never  could  have  committed  ?  "  demanded 
Miss  Tabby,  with  awful  gravity. 

"  Tabitha  Winterose,  you  know  I  do  n't,"  answered  Miss 
Libby,  in  solemn  indignation. 

"  I  'in  glad  to  hear  you  say  so,  for  she  never  did  it,  nor 
yet  could  have  done  it,  though  she  had  cause  enough,  poor 
dear !  cause  enough  to  go  raving  mad  with  jealousy,  and  to 
bate  her  rival  unto  death,  if  ever  a  lady  had.  But  she 


GUARDIANS     OF     THE     OLD     HOUSE.        321 

never  was  that  poor  woman's  death,  though  well  the  woman 
might  have  deserved  it  at  her  bauds.  But  she  never  did 
it !  No,  she  never  did  it ! "  reiterated  Miss  Tabby,  with 
many  vain  repetitions,  as  she  wiped  her  faded  blue  eyes. 

"  And  if  Rosa  Blondelle's  spirit  cannot  rest  in  her  grave, 
it  an  't  so  much  because  her  rale  murderer  is  at  large,  as  it 
is  because  Sybil  Berners,  her  benefactress,  as  she  wronged 
so  ungratefully  when  she  was  alive,  is  now  falsely  accused 
of  her  death,"  whispered  Miss  Libby. 

"  Yes,  and  would  a  been  just  as  falsely  executed  for  it 
too,  if  she  had  n't  a  been  reskeed  on  that  dreadful  night  of 
the  flood.  And  where  is  she  now  ?  Where  is  the  last  of 
the  Berners  now  ?  An  exile  and  a  wanderer  over  the  face 
of  the  earth!  A  fugitive  from  justice,  they  call  her!  'A 
fugitive  from  justice  ! '  when  all  she  needs  to  make  her 
happy  in  this  world,  if  she  still  lives  in  it,  is  jest  simple  jus 
tice.  Oh!  I  shall  never,  never,  forget  that  awful  night  of 
the  storm  and  flood,  when  with  her  infant  of  a  few  hours 
old,  which  they  had  waited  for  it  to  be  born  before  they 
meant  to  murder  her,  she  was  suddenly  snatched  out  of  the 
flooded  prison  and  carried  away  from  sight,  as  if  the  waters 
had  swallowed  her !  And  that  was  the  second  horrible 
Hallow  Eve  of  my  life  !  "  sobbed  Miss  Tabby. 

"  Hush  !  hush  !  why  harp  upon  the  horrors  that  happen 
ed  so  many  years  ago  ?  '  What 's  done  is  done,'  and  can  't 
be  undone,"  urged  the  old  lady. 

"  I  know  it,  mother ;  but  it  is  some  sort  o'  relief  to  talk 
— it  keeps  me  from  thinking  too  deep  about — " 

"  About  what,  Tabby  ?     Do  n't  be  a  fool !  " 

"  About  this,  then  ;  as  there  never  was  no  dreadful  thing 
ever  happened  to  us  as  didn't  happen  to  happen  on  a  dark, 
drizzly,  dreary  Hallow  Eve  !  "  whimpered  Miss  Tabby. 

"  It  is  a  fatality  !"  whispered  Miss  Libby. 

"  It  is  a  fiddlestick  ! "  snapped  the  old  lady. 

"  Oh,  mother,  mother,  you  can 't  dispute  it !  Was  n't  it 
20 


322  TRIED      FOR      HER      LIFE. 

on  a  Hallow  Eve  at  night  that  Rosa  Blondelle,  sleeping 
calmly  in  her  bed,  was  mysteriously  murdered  ?  "  inquired 
Miss  Tabby. 

"  Yes,  yes,"  impatiently  admitted  the  old  lady. 

"And  wasn't  it  that  same  night  in  the  storm  that  Sybil 
Bernei's  fled  away  from  her  home,  some  said  driven  mad  by 
horror,  and  some  said  by  remorse  ?  " 

"  Oh  yes  !  "  sighed  the  old  lady  ;  "  and  that  was  the 
worst  thing  as  ever  she  did  in  her  life,  for  her  flight  was 
taken  as  a  proof  of  conscious  guilt.  I  was  very  sorry  she 
fled." 

"  Yes,  but  she  was  persuaded  by  those  as  was  wiser  than 
we.  And  besides,  what  could  she  do  but  fly,  when  the  evi 
dence  was  so  strong  against  her  ?  so  strong  that  everybody 
believed  her  guilty  ?  so  strong  that  even  when  she  came 
forrard  and  give  herself  up,  it  convicted  her,  and  she  was 
doomed  to  death !  that  beautiful,  noble  lady !  and  only 
spared  until  she  could  bring  her  babe  into  the  world — her 
babe  born  in  the  condemned  cell. 

"  I  know  it,  I  know  it ;  but  for  all  that,  it  was  her  first 
flight  that  prejudiced  people's  minds  against  her." 

"And  do  you  remember,  mother,  that  awful  night  when 
the  child  was  born  in  the  prison  ?  You  and  I  and  the 
prison  doctor  was  with  her  in  that  stone  cell !  And  oh,  how 
we  prayed  that  she  might  die !  But  she  was  strong,  and 
could  not  die,  nor  could  the  babe.  Both  lived." 

"  Yes,  thank  Heaven !  despite  our  short-sighted,  sinful 
prayers,  both  lived,"  fervently  exclaimed  Mrs.  Wiuterose. 

"  But  that  awful  night  of  storm  and  flood,  when  the  con 
demned  mother  gave  birth  to  the  child  in  the  condemned 
cell,  that  awful  night  was  also  Hallow  Eve,  and  do  you 
mind  how,  when  all  was  over,  and  the  baby  was  dressed  and 
the  mother  was  lying  in  stupor,  how  you  had  to  leave  us, 
and  go  away  in  the  storm  to  tend  my  father's  sick-bed  ?  " 
"Ah,  child,  do  n't  I  remember  it  all  I " 


GUARDIANS     OF     THE     OLD     HOUSE.        323 

"  And  now  I  'm  going  to  tell  you  what  happened  after  you 
left ! " 

"  Why,  Tabby,  you  never  would  tell  us  before,"  said  Mrs, 
Winterose,  taking  off  her  spectacles  and  becoming  very  at 
tentive. 

"No,  mother,  because  I  was  bound  by  an  oath.  It  is 
true,  the  man  I  made  the  oath  to  released  me  from  keeping 
of  it !  But  still  I  never  did  feel  free  to  tell  all  I  knew  until 
to-night." 

"  And  why  to-night,  Tabby  ?  " 

"  Because  it  is  borne  in  upon  my  mind  that  something 
will  happen  on  this  very  Hallow  Eve  to  clear  up  the  whole 
mystery,  that  I  feel  free  to  reveal  my  part  of  it !  " 

"  But  what  makes  you  feel  as  if  something  was  going  to 
happen  to  reveal  the  secret,  Tabby  ?  "  inquired  her  mother. 

'•'  Because  I  had  a  dream  last  night  as  foretold  it !  I 
dreamed  as  I  was  a  walking  in  the  hauuted  wing,  in  the 
wery  room  where  Rosa  Blondelle  was  murdered,  and  sud 
denly  the  sun  shone  full  into  the  room,  lighting  it  up  like 
noon-day." 

"  And  to  dream  of  the  sun  shining  into  a  room,  is  a  sure 
sign  of  the  revelation  of  secrets  and  the  discovery  of  hidden 
things/'  said  Miss  Libby,  mysteriously. 

"  Stuff  and  nonsense  about  dreams  and  visions  ! "  sharply 
exclaimed  Mrs.  Winterose ;  "  but  whatever  has  caused  you 
to  change  your  mind  about  Mrs.  Berners'  reskee,  I  shall  be 
very  glad  to  hear  the  particulars,  Tabby  ;  so  go  on." 

"  Well,  goodness  knows  there  an't  much  after  all,  as  I 
have  to  tell ,  but  you  shall  hear  it !  Well,  soon  after  you 
left,  mother,  the  prison  doctor  he  got  up  to  go  home ;  and 
he  asked  Mr.  Berners,  who  had  been  waiting  out  in  the 
lobbjr  to  hear  from  his  wife,  if  he  would  go  along  with  him 
to  bring  back  some  medicine ;  and  Mr.  Berners  and  him 
they  both  went  out  in  the  storm,  and  oh,  how  it  was  a  storm 
ing  to  be  sure !  " 


324  TRIED     FOE      HEK     LIFE. 

"  Yes,  that  it  was  !  "  assented  Mrs.  Wintered.  "  I 
thought  as  I  should  never  a  got  through  it  myself! " 

"  Well,  I  sat.  there  hour  after  hour,  holding  the  new-born 
baby  in  my  lap,  watching  the  unconscious  mother  and  wait 
ing  for  Mr.  Berners  to  come  back  with  the  medicine.  Well, 
I  might  a  waited  ! " 

"  Yes,  for  there  was  no  getting  back  that  night !  "  put  in 
the  old  lady. 

"No,  for  the  storm  got  worse  and  worse!  The  rain 
poured,  the  wind  howled,  the  waters  rose  !  Oh,  what  a  hor 
rible  night !  It  was  as  if  the  end  of  all  things  was  come, 
and  the  world  was  about  to  be  destroyed  by  water,  instead 
of  by  fire  !  " 

"  I  know  what  sort  of  a  night  it  was,  Tabby.  I  can 
never  forget  it !  Tell  me  how  Sybil  Berners  was  res- 
keed  ?  "  said  Mrs.  Winterose,  impatiently. 

"  I  am  a  telling  of  you  as  fast  as  ever  I  can  ;  which  she 
never  would  a  been  reskeed  neither,  if  it  had  n't  a  been  for 
that  there  blessed  flood,  which  you  don't  even  want  me  to 
tell  about,"  complained  Miss  Tabby. 

"  Tell  me  about  the  reskee ! "  commanded  Mrs.  Winte 
rose.  peremptorily. 

"  Well,  then,  just  as  I  had  discovered  as  the  waters  had 
ris'  almost  up  to  the  level  of  the  windows,  and  was  even 
oozing  through  the  walls  like  dew,  and  rising  higher  every 
minute,  and  I  was  in  deadly  fear  of  our  lives,  and  screech- 
iug  as  loud  as  I  could  screech,  for  some  one  to  come  and  let 
us  out,  which  nobody  could  hear  us  because  of  the  hollering, 
and  bawling,  and  running,  and  racing,  and  banging,  and 
slamming  of  doors  and  windows,  and  all  the  rout  and  rum 
pus  made  by  the  people  as  were  trying  to  save  their  own 
lives,  suddenly  the  window  was  busted  in.  And  before  I 
had  time  to  say  my  prayers,  in  jumped  a  big  man  followed 
by  a  little  man." 

"  Lor ! "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Winterose  and  Miss  Libby,  in  a 
breath. 


GUARDIANS     OF    THE    OLD     HOUSE.        325 

"  And  the  big  man,  in  all  his  haste  a-nd  hurry,  he  took 
her  np,  Sybil,  as  tenderly,  and  wrapped  her  up  as  carefully 
as  if  he  had  a  been  her  mother.  He  cussed  some  about  the 
baby,  which  was  a  sort  of  surprise  to  him  ;  but  Raphael — " 

"  Raphael !  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Winterose  and  Miss  Libby, 
in  a  breath. 

"  Yes,  Raphael !  He  was  the  little  man  I  soon  discov 
ered.  Raphael  pleaded  for  the  baby,  and  so  the  big  man 
he  let  him  save  her ;  but  he  said  how  he  must  leave  the  (ole 
'oman '  meaning  me,  to  be  drownded,  though  goodness 
knows,  for  that  matter,  I  was  n't  so  old  as  to  be  tired  of  life, 
being  only  just  turned  of  thirty-three — " 

"  Oh,  bother  about  your  age,  Tabby  !  tell  us  about  the 
reskee  !  "  snapped  her  mother. 

"  An't  I  a  telling  of  you  as  fast  as  I  can  ?  But  he  did 
call  me  an  ole  'oman,  and  me  not  thirty-four  then,  which  I 
would  say  it  if  I  was  to  die  for  it,  and  he  would  a  left  me  to 
be  drownded,  but  Raphael  he  pled  for  me  like  he  did  for 
the  baby,  and  the  waters  was  rising  higher  and  higher,  and 
the  uproar  in  the  prison  was  getting  louder  and  louder,  and 
the  big  man  he  swore  at  Raphael,  and  told  him  to  fetch 
me  on ;  but  first  he  made  me  swear  on  the  Bible  never  to 
tell  how  we  was  reskeed.  Then  he  took  us  off  on  the  boat, 
which  I  tell  you,  mother,  it  was  just  awful  to  be  a  riding  on 
the  high  floods  over  the  tops  of  the  houses.  It  had  done 
raining,  which  was  a  good  thing  for  my  poor  child,  who  was 
well  wrapped  up  also.  They  rowed  me  up  to  the  Quarries, 
and  put  me  out  high,  and  on  a  ledge  of  the  mountain,  and 
rowed  away  with  my  child,  and  that 's  the  last  I  ever  saw 
or  heard  of  her  or  her  baby  until  that  letter  come  to  Mr. 
Berners,  a  telling  of  him  how  she  was  took  off  to  foreign 
parts,  and  a  releasing  of  me  from  my  oath  of  siience." 

"  But  you  never  told  us,  for  all  that." 

"  Because,  as  I  said  afore,  I  never  felt  free  to  do  it  until 
to-night,  and  to-night  it  is  borne  in  upon  my  mind  as  some 
thing  *slll  happen  to  clear  up  that  Hallow  Eve  mystery." 


826  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

"  It  is  a  presentiment,"  said  Miss  Libby,  solemnly. 

"  It  is  a  fiddle  ! "  snapped  the  old  lady. 

"  You  may  call  it  a  fiddle,  mother,  but  I  believe  you 
know  more  about  the  fate  of  Mrs.  Berners  and  her  baby  too, 
than  you  are  willing  to  tell,"  said  Miss  Libby. 

"  May  be  I  do,  and  may  be  I  do  n't,"  answered  the  old 
lady.  Then  suddenly  breaking  out  angrily,  she  exclaimed, 
"  I  told  you  both  before  as  I  did  n't  want  to  talk  of  these 
here  horrid  ewents !  And  I  do  n't !  And  here  you  draw 
me  on  to  talk  of  them,  whether  or  no !  And  look  at  Gem 
there,"  she  added,  lowering  her  voice,  and  directing  her 
glance  towards  the  girl  at  the  spinning-wheel ;  "  she  knows 
nothing  about  these  dreadful  doings,  and  ought  to  know 
nothing  about  them.  Yet  there  she  stands,  with  her  wheel 
still,  and  she  a  drinking  down  every  word." 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

GEM. 

A  maidsn  meek,  with  solemn,  steadfast  eyes, 

full  of  eternal  constancy  and  faith, 
And  smiling  li[is,  through  whose  soft  portal  sighs 

Truth's  holy  voice,  with  every  balmy  breath. — MM.  KBMBLX. 

THREE  pair  of  eyes  were  turned  towards  Gem.  She  was 
well  worth  looking  at,  as  she  stood  there  beside  the  pausing 
wheel,  with  the  thread  of  yarn  suspended  in  her  hand  be 
tween  the  delicate  forefinger  and  thumb,  and  with  her  large, 
luminous  dark  eyes,  fixed  upon  the  face  of  the  speaker. 
Yes,  look  at  Gem — a  slight,  elegant  creature,  whose  form 
was  perfect  symmetry,  whose  every  motion  was  perfect 
grace,  whose  small  stately  head  was  covered  with  shining 
jet-black  ringlets  that  hung  down  each  side  aud  half  shaded 
a  bright  young  face  of  exceeding  beauty — an  oval  face,  with 


OEM.  327 

regular  features,  large,  soft,  dark-blue  eyes,  vailed  with 
thick,  long  lashes,  and  arched  over  by  slender,  jet-blade 
brows,  and  with  roseate  cheeks  and  crimson  lips.  This  will 
do  for  a  pen  and  ink  sketch  ;  but  how  can  I  picture  the 
light,  the  life,  the  gleam  and  glow  of  that  brilliant  and 
beautiful  countenance  ? 

She  wore  a  plain  brown  linsey  dress,  that  perfectly  fitted 
her  symmetrical  form  ;  and  this  rustic  suit  was  relieved  by 
a  little  linen  collar  that  clasped  her  throat,  and  a  pair  of 
little  white  linen  cuffs  that  bound  her  wrists. 

The  setting  was  plain  enough,  but  the  gem  was  a  very 
rich  and  rare  jewel,  whoever  might  be  destined  to  wear  it. 

Only  for  an  instant  she  stood  thus,  like  a  bright  and  beau 
tiful  image,  and  then  she  suddenly  darted  across  the  room, 
sunk  down  beside  the  old  lady's  chair,  and  looking  up  into 
her  face,  said : 

"  Grandma  !  I  know  more  of  that  awful  tragedy  than  you 
think  I  do.  Of  course,  in  all  these  years,  I  have  chanced 
to  hear  much  from  the  talk  of  women  and  children  seen  in 
church  or  in  school.  And  to-night  I  have  heard  too  much 
from  you,  not  now  to  be  told  more  !  What  is  all  this  mys 
tery  and  horror  connected  with  this  anniversary  of  Hallow 
Eve  ?  And— who  am  I  ?  " 

"  You  are  my  own  darling  child,  Gem  ! "  answered  the  old 
lady,  in  a  trembling  voice. 

"  I  know  that  I  am  your  foster-child,  but  that  is  all  I,  or 
any  one  else  except  you,  seems  to  knew  about  me !  But  you 
know  who  I  am,  grandma  !  Now  tell  me — who  am  I  ?"  she 
pleaded,  taking  the  withered  old  hands  within  her  own,  and 
gazing  imploringly  up  into  the  kind  old  eyes  that  looked 
compassionately  down  on  hers. 

"  You  are  my  pet,  and  my  darling,  and  my  blessing, 
Gem  !  That  is  enough  for  you  to  know  ! "  answered  the  old 
lady,  still  in  a  tremulous  tone. 

"  Am  I  that  prison-born  child  ?     Am  I  the  daughter  of 


528  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

that  poor  lady  who  was  crucified  and  cast  out  among  human 
creatures  ?  Am  I  ?  Am  I  ?  "  persisted  the  young  girl  be 
seechingly,  while  Miss  Tabby  wept  and  Miss  Libby  moaned. 

"Gem,"  said  the  aged  woman  gravely,  and  sorrowfully 
pressing  the  maiden's  hands,  "  Gem,  have  I  been  a  good 
grandma  to  you  ?  " 

"Oh,  you  have!  you  have!"  answered  the  young  girl, 
earnestly. 

"  And  can  you  still  trust  me  to  be  good  to  you,  and  true 
to  your  best  interests  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  yes,  yes  !  dear  grandma !  " 

"Then,  my  own  little  one,  trust  me,  by  obeying  me,  when 
I  tell  you  to  ask  me  no  questions  about  yourself ;  because  I 
cannot  answer  them  yet  a  while.  Will  you  do  so,  my  little 
Gem  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  will !  I  will !  But,  dear  granny,  I  know  !  I 
know  !  although  you  are  too  tender  to  tell  me,  I  know!" 

"  Know — what,  Gem  ?  "  questioned  Mrs.  Winterose,  in 
alarm. 

"  I  know  that  some  mystery  and  horror  hung  over  my 
birth — hangs  over  my  life !  I  have  known  this  a  long  time. 
They  call  me  '  Ingemisca  ; '  that  means,  '  Bewail  !  Bewail ! ' 
Some  one  bewailed  my  birth,  and  bade  me  bewail  it !  Some 
one  sung  the  refrain  of  a  requiem  at  my  baptism,  as  they 
do  at  the  burial  of  others  !  And  oh,  grandma !  to-night  I 
to-night !  in  what  has  reached  my  ears,  I  have  found  a  clue 
to  the  solving  of  my  mystery  !  " 

"  Gem  !  Gem  !  if  ever  I  have  been  kind  to  you,  mind  me 
now!  Never  think,  never  speak  of  these  things  again. 
Look  on  yourself  as  my  child,  and  nothing  more,"  ursjed 
the  old  lad}'  with  so  much  earnestness,  and  even  pain,  that 
her  pet  hastened  to  caress  her,  and  to  say  : 

'•  I  will  mind  jrou  as  much  as  I  can,  best,  dearest  granny ! 
I  will  never  speak  of  this  again  until  you  give  me  leave." 

"  That  is  my  darling   girl !     And   now  put   away  your 


GEM.  829 

wheel  and  come  and  sit  down  here,  and  let  us  have  a  pleas 
ant  talk  after  all  this  solemn  nonsense.  And  when  Joe 
comes  in —  Where  the  mischief  is  that  fellow,  and  why 
don't  he  come  with  the  cones,  I  wonder?  Anyhow,  when 
he  does  come  I  will  send  him  down  in  the  cellar  for  some 
nuts  and  apples,  and  we  will  have  a  little  feast." 

Gem  sat  back  her  wheel,  and  came  and  took  her  seat  on 
a  stool  at  the  old  lady's  feet. 

"  Gem,"  said  Mrs.  Winterose,  passing  her  hand  through 
the  girl's  dark  curls,  "  my  two  daughters  have  been  horrify 
ing  us  by  telling  of  some  awful  events  that  happened  on 
certain  long  past  Hallow  Eves.  But  they  have  said 
nothing  of  the  pleasant  things  that  have  happened  on 
later  Hallow  Eves  !  They  have  n't  said  a  word  of  that 
Hallow  Eve  when  me  and  my  Libby  was  a  sitting  in  our 
cabin  without  provisions,  and  a  wondering  where  the 
money  to  buy  them  was  to  come  from,  and  how  long  the 
agent  would  let  us  live  there,  seeing  as  we  had  no  right, 
after  my  old  man,  who  was  the  overseer,  died,  when  in 
walks  the  agent  himself,  and  offers  of  us  a  home  rent  free 
here,  with  the  use  of  the  garden,  the  orchard,  and  the 
wood,  with  a  small  salary  besides,  if  so  be  we  would  come 
here  and  live  with  Tabby,  and  help  keep  rats  and  thieves 
and  rust  and  mould  out  of  the  old  house.  You  may 
depend,  Gem,  as  we  jumped  at  the  offer,  and  came  here 
the  very  next  da}T." 

"  That  was  all  the  kindness  of  my  child !  It  did  n't 
need  nobody  but  me  to  do  all  that.  But,  my  sweet  angel, 
she  wanted  to  provide  for  you  and  Libby,  and  to  make  us 
all  comfortable  and  happy  together,"  said  Miss  Tabby. 

"  Yes,  I  know.  Heaven  bless  her,  wherever  she  is ! 
And  that  was  a  happy  Hallow  Eve.  But  the  next  one  was 
even  happier,  Gem." 

"  Yes,  dear  grandma,  I  know,"  smiled  the  girl. 

*'  Yes,  for  just  one  year  from  that  time,  when  Hallow 


S30  TRIED      FOB      HER     LIFE. 

Eve  came  around  again,  I  got  up  early  in  the  morning,  as 
I  used  to  do  then  as  well  as  now,  and  I  came  down  into 
this  very  room,  and  went  through  to  that  back  door  and 
into  the  back  room,  and  opened  the  back  porch  door  to  let 
in  the  morning  air,  and  there  on  the  porch  with  the  sun 
shining  bright  on  the  scarlet  seed-pods  of  the  rose  vines  all 
over  the  shed,  there,  like  a  cradle,  stood  a  large  wicker 
basket,  with  a  two  year  old  baby  comfortably  tucked  up 
into  it,  and  fast  asleep." 

"  That  was  I,"  said  the  maiden. 

"  Yes,  Gem,  it  was  you.  But  just  think  of  my  astonish 
ment  when  I  found  you  there  !  I  stared  at  you,  and  was 
as  'fraid  to  touch  you  at  fust  as  if  you  M  been  a  bombshell 
to  blow  me  up !  I  rubbed  my  eyes  to  see  if  I  was  awake. 
I  crept  up  to  you  and  shrank  back  from  you  ever  so  many 
times,  before  I  could  venture  to  touch  you.  Then  I  saw  a 
card  tied  to  the  handle  of  the  basket.  I  took  it  off,  put  on 
my  specks,  and  read  this  : 

" '  A  GEM  FOR  MRS.  WINTEROSE.' 

"  Then,  my  dear,  I  saw  that  somebody  who  wanted  to 
get  shet  of  a  baby,  had  put  it  off  on  to  me.  And,  Lord  for 
give  me,  I  struck  mad  as  hop,  and  said  I  would  n't  have 
the  brat,  and  would  send  it  to  the  almshouse.  But,  lor! 
there  is  a  power  in  helplessness  compared  to  which  the 
power  of  a  monarch  is  all  moonshine !  And  however  angry 
I  might  a  felt  at  that  minute  with  the  unnatural  monsters 
who  I  thought  had  dropped  the  baby  there,  why,  I  could 
no  more  a  sent  it  to  the  almshouse  than  I  could  a  smoth 
ered  it  in  its  basket,"  said  the  soft-hearted  old  dame,  wip 
ing  away  the  tears  that  rose  to  her  eyes  at  the  very  idea 
of  such  a  piece  of  cruelty. 

"  So  you  took  the  little  creature  in  ?  "  smiled  Gem. 

"  What  else  could  I  do  ?  I  was  shivering  with  cold  my 
self.  Could  I  leave  it  out  there  ?  No.  I  took  hold  of  the 
handle  of  the  basket — which  it  was  a  large  open  clothes 


GEM.  331 

basket  with  a  handle  at  each  end,  and  very  useful  I  have 
found  it  ever  since  to  put  the  siled  clothes  in — and  I  began 
to  drag  it  through  the  door  and  through  the  back  room  into 
this  very  room.  But  the  motion  waked  the  baby  up,  and 
it  opened  the  darkest  blue  eyes  I  ever  had  seen  in  my  life, 
and  looked  at  me  as  calm  and  quiet  as  if  it  had  known  me 
all  my  life,,  and  then  it  opened  its  little  rosy  lips,  and  said : 

" <  GAMMA ! ' 

"Yes,  my  dear  Gem,  that  was  what  you  called  me  from 
the  first,  '  Gamma.'  It  went  straight  to  my  heart,  Gem  1 
And  why  ?  Because  I  was  sixty  years  old  then,  and  my 
hair  was  as  white  as  it  is  now,  and  I  never  had  a  baby  in 
the  world  to  call  me  grandma :  all  because  Tabby  and 
Libby  didn't  marry  as  they  ought  to  have  done  twenty 
years  before  that." 

"  You  're  always  hitting  of  us  in  the  teeth  about  that, 
mother,  as  if  it  was  our  fault.  As  for  me  I  would  have 
married  fast  enough  if  William  Simpson  had  n't  a  proved 
false,"  snivelled  Miss  Tabby. 

"  Bosh  !  there's  as  good  fish  in  the  sea  as  ever  was  got 
out  of  it,"  snapped  the  old  lady. 

"  Tt  was  our  fate,"  said  the  superstitious  Miss  Libby. 

"  You  made  your  own  fate,"  answered  the  inexorable  old 
lady. 

"  So  you  adopted  the  poor  little  forsaken  child,"  put  in 
Gem,  to  stop  the  altercation  between  the  mother  and 
daughters. 

"  Yes,  Gem,  of  course.  But  oh  !  the  day  you  were  given 
to  us  was  a  day  of  jubilee  !  While  I  was  lifting  you  out  of 
that  basket,  lame  leg  Joe  came  in  to  make  the  fire.  When 
he  saw  me  with  a  babe  in  my  arms  he  let  his  wood  fall,  and 
lifted  up  his  arms  and  opened  his  eyes  in  dumb  amazement. 
And  when  I  told  him  where  I  found  it,  he  recovered  his 
speech,  and  advised  me  to  send  it  to  the  alms-house. 

"  'Joe,'   I  said,   '  if  ever  you  mention  alms-houses  and 


832  TRIED     FOR      HER      LIFE. 

babies  in  the  same  breath  to  me  again,  you  and  I  will  have 
to  part." 

"  Yet  poor  old  Joe  spoke  in  your  interests,  grandma," 
said  Gem. 

"I  know  he  did,  dear,  or  he  thought  he  did;  but  my  real 
interest  was  to  keep  my  Gem,  for  she  has  been  the  bright 
ness  of  my  life,  and  not  only  of  mine,  but  of  Tabby's  and 
Libby's,  poor  childish  old  maids,  and  of  Mopsy's  and  lame 
leg  Joe's." 

"  It  is  because  we  all  love  each  other  so  much,  and  it  is 
such  a  happiness  to  love,"  said  Gem. 

"  We  all  loved  you,  my  darling,  from  the  very  first.  "We 
could  not  help  it.  Ah  !  you  should  have  seen  what  a  sun 
beam  you  were  in  our  dull  house  that  day  and  all  days  after 
that.  When  I  took  you  out  of  the  basket  and  set  you  upon 
your  feet,  you  tottered  all  about  the  room,  eagerly  examin 
ing  all  that  was  new  to  you  ;  the  chip-bottom  chairs,  the 
turkey-wing  fans,  the  peacock's  feathers,  even  poor  Joe's 
crooked  leg.  And  me  and  Joe  watched  you  in  your  little 
crimson  dress,  as  one  watches  some  bright-plumed  bird, 
hopping  from  twig  to  twig." 

"  How  I  wish  I  could  remember  that  day,  grandma." 

"You  were  too  young;  not  more  than  two  years  old. 
But  oh !  you  should  have  seen  the  surprise  and  delight  of 
Tabby  and  Libby,  when,  after  they  had  made  the  beds  up 
stairs,  they  came  down  to  help  me  to  get  breakfast.  Thejr 
were  as  silly  over  you  as  ever  you  saw  children  over  a  new 
pet  kitten.  I  thought  you  would  have  been  pulled  to  pieces 
between  them,  which  was  another  sign  that  they  ought  to 
have  been  married  twenty  years  before." 

"Oh,  mother  !  "  began  Miss  Tabby. 

"  Well,  there !  1  won't  say  anything  more  about  that, 
But  the  way  thej'  talked  to  you,  Gem  ! " 

"  '  What 's  your  name,  little  one  ? '  they  asked. 

ft '  Gem,'  you  answered. 


OEM.  333 

• 

"  '  Who  's  your  mother,  baby  ?  ' 

"'  Gamma/  you  replied.  You  had  only  them  two  words, 
my  darling — '  Gem  '  and  '  Gamma.'  " 

"  Did  3'ou  ever  afterwards  find  out  who  I  was,  grand 
ma  ?  "  inquired  the  girl. 

"  Maybe  I  did,  and  maybe  I  did  n't,  Gem.  Anyway 
there  was  no  clue  to  your  history  there  in  that  basket,  Gem. 
There  was  heaps  of  baby  clothes,  nicely  got  up  and  marked 
*In-gem-is-ca,'  and  there  was  a  small  bag  of  gold  coins, 
amounting  to  just  one  hundred  dollars.  That  was  all. 
And  now.  did  n't  you  give  me  your  word  never  to  ask  me 
any  questions  about  yourself?" 

"  I  know  I  did,  grandma,  and  I  will  keep  my  word  ;  but 
oh,  grandma,  I  can  't  help  thinking  about  it  and  suspecting 
who  I  am." 

"  Hush  !  hush,  Gem  !  Put  away  such  troublesome 
thoughts.  I  had  rather  see  a  little  natural  silliness  than  so 
much  gravity  in  one  so  young  as  you  are.  Be  a  girl  while 
girlhood  lasts.  The  season  is  short  enough.  This  is  Hal 
low  Eve.  When  I  was  young,  it  used  to  be  a  gay  festival, 
and  not  the  funeral  feast  my  mournful  daughters  would 
make  it.  When  I  was  young,  the  lads  and  lasses,  on  a 
Hallow  Eve  night,  used  to  try  spells  to  find  out  their  sweet 
hearts  and  lovers.  And  if  ghosts  walked  then,  they  were 
merry  sprites  who  only  came  to  tell  the  youths  and  maid 
ens  whom  they  were  to  love  and  marry.  Come,  now,  I  '11 
teach  you  a  sure  spell.  Here  are  some  chestnuts,"  she 
said,  rising  and  taking  a  little  basket  from  the  chimney 
shelf,  and  emptying  it  into  Gem's  lap. 

"  What  am  I  to  do  with  these,  grandma  ?  "  smiled  the 
girl. 

"  You  are  to  take  half  a  dozen  large  ones,  scratch  on 
each  the  first  letter  in  the  name  of  some  young  man  you 
know.  Then  on  another,  '  Str.'  for  stranger ;  on  another 
'  Wid.'  for  widower ;  on  the  last  one,  a  cross  for  old  maid 
enhood." 


334  TRIED      FOR     HER     LIFE. 

Smilingly  Gem  complied  with  the  directions,  and  marked 
the  chestnuts,  while  the  old  lady,  with  spectacles  on  nose, 
watched  her  carefully. 

When  they  were  all  ready,  Gem  looked  up,  saying  : 

"  Well,  they  are  marked  !     Nine  of  them  altogether." 

"  Now  lay  them  in  a  row  on  the  hot  hearth,  close  to  the 
coals,  to  roast." 

"  It  is  done,"  said  Gem,  after  she  had  arranged  them  ac 
cording  to  rule. 

"  Now,  then,  my  dear,  you  must  sit  and  watch  them  in 
perfect  silence,  until  they  are  roasted,  when  they  will  begin 
to  pop ;  and  the  first  one  that  pops  will  be  your  fate, 
whether  it  be  one  of  the  young  men,  or  the  widower,  or  the 
stranger,  or  whether  it  be  the  cross  that  stands  for  old 
maidenhood." 

Smilingly  Gem  folded  her  hands,  and  composed  herself 
to  perfect  silence  and  stillness. 

While  she  watched  her  roasting  chestnuts,  the  old  lady 
watched  her. 

Each  of  these  women,  the  ancient  dame  and  the  youthful 
maiden,  was  making  herself  silly  to  please  the  other.  Mrs. 
Winterose,  wishing  to  divert  Gem  from  her  troublesome 
thoughts,  and  Gem  willing  to  gratify  her  "  grandma." 

But  the  law  of  silence  was  not  laid  upon  any  one  else  but 
the  trier  of  the  spell.  And  Miss  Tabby  and  Miss  Libby 
chattered  together  like  a  pair  of  sister  magpies  for  some 
minutes,  when  suddenly  Miss  Tabby  exclaimed: 

"  Look  out,  Gem !  Your  chestnuts  are  beginning  to 
crack  ;  they  will  shoot  you  presently,  if  you  do  n't  mind." 

The  warning  came  too  late.  A  blazing  chestnut  was 
suddenly  shot  from  the  hearth  like  a  small  bomb-shell,  and 
struck  Gem  upon  the  right  hand,  inflicting  a  slight  burn. 

With  a  faint  cry  she  sprang  up  and  shook  it  off;  and  she 
sat  down  startled  and  trembling,  for  she  was  very  delicate 
and  very  sensitive  to  pain. 


GEM.  385 

"Never  mind,  never  mind  a  little  smarting!  When  I 
was  young  I  would  have  been  willing  to  have  been  scorched 
worse  than  that,  to  have  had  such  a  powerful  sign  that  some 
one  loved  me  so  fiercely  as  all  that !  Goodness  !  how  he 
loves  you,  to  be  sure !  and  how  quickly  he  is  coming  to  see 
you  !  Come,  pick  up  your  chestnut,  child,  and  see  what 
mark  it  bears.  Come,  now  !  Is  it  Cromartie  ?  "  inquired 
the  old  lady  with  an  arch  smile. 

But  the  girl  made  no  reply.  She  had  picked  up  and 
blown  out  the  blazing  emblem  that  she  had  playfully  made 
a  messenger  of  fate,  and  she  was  gazing  upon  it.  She  re 
mained  pale  and  mute. 

"  Come,  come ;  did  you  name  it  for  that  auburn-haired 
youth  ?  "  persisted  the  old  lady. 

"  I  named  it  for — the  exile — the  lady  who  was  borne 
from  the  flooded  prison  that  stormy  night ;  I  named  it  for 
— my  mother"  answered  the  maiden  in  a  low  tone. 

Silence  like  a  panic  fell  upon  the  little  party. 

Mrs.  Winterose  was  the  first  to  break  it. 

f  Gem  !  how  dare  you  do  such  dreadful  things  ?  "  she' 
demanded,  speaking  more  harshly  than  she  had  ever  before 
spoken  to  her  spoiled  child. 

"  It's  enough  to  break  anybody's  heart  to  hear  her  say 
that,"  whimpered  Miss  Tabby,  wiping  her  eyes. 

"  And,  oh  !  what  a  sign  and  an  omen  !  If  there's  any 
truth  in  the  spell,  her  mother — if  so  be  she  is  her  mother 
and  is  a  living — her  mother  loves  her  better  than  any  one 
in  the  world,  and  is  a  hurrying  to  see  her  now  !  For  I 
never  knew  that  to  fail,"  said  Miss  Libby,  clasping  her 
hands  and  rolling  up  her  eyes. 

Gem  turned  and  gazed  at  the  last  speaker,  while  a  super 
stitious  faith  in  the  omen  crept  into  her  heart. 

"  There  is  nothing  at  all  in  it !  I  was  only  trying  to 
amuse  the  poor  child  by  the  old  love  spell.  I  had  no 
thought  it  would  turn  out  this  way,"  said  Mrs.  Wiuterose, 
glancing  uneasily  at  Gem. 


836  TRIED      FOR      HER      LIFE. 

But  Miss  Tabby  sighed,  and  Miss  Libby  shook  her  head, 
and  Gem  continued  to  look  very  grave. 

"  Well,  I  declare  !  I  am  out  of  all  patience  with  Joe  ! " 
exclaimed  the  old  lady,  by  way  of  changing  the  whole  con 
versation.  "  It  has  been  full  forty  minutes  or  more  since  I 
sent  him  after  them  cones  !  And  now  I  am  going  to  call 
him." 

And  so  saying  she  went  and  opened  the  back  door. 

But  she  had  no  sooner  done  so,  than  she  started  with  a 
cry  of  horror  and  fled  back  into  the  room. 

And  well  she  might ! 

Behind  her  came  three  men,  bearing  in  their  arms  the 
mutilated  and  bleeding  body  of  a  third  man! 

Following  them  limped  lame-legged  Joe. 

The  affrighted  women  shrank  back  to  the  chimney  corner, 
where  they  clung  together  in  that  dumb  terror  which  is  the 
deeper  for  its  very  silence. 

"Now  don't  you  be  scared,  ladies,"  said  Joe,  soothingly. 
"Nobody  an't  a  going  to  do  you  no  harm.  It  is  only  some 
man  as  has  been  murdered  out  there." 

"  Murdered  I "  echoed  Mrs.  Winterose,  in  an  awe- 
deepened  tone. 

"  Another  Hallow  Eve  murder ! "  groaned  Miss  Tabby, 
wringing  her  hands. 

"  It  is  doom  !  "  muttered  Miss  Libby  solemnly. 

Gem  vailed  her  eyes  and  said  nothing. 

"  Lay  him  down  here  on  the  floor,  men,  and  let  us  take 
a  look  of  him  to  see  if  we  know  him,"  said  Joe,  as  he  took 
a  candle  from  the  table. 

The  bearers  laid  their  burden  gently  down. 

Joe  held  the  candle  to  the  face  of  the  murdered  man. 

Old  Mrs.  Winterose  cautiously  approached  to  view  it. 

"  Good  angels  in  Heaven  !  "  she  exclaimed. 

"  Who  is  it,  mother  ?  "  inquired  her  daughters,  in  terri 
fied  tones. 

"  MB.  HOBACE  BLOXDELLE  !  "  she  whispered. 


THB     LAST     FATAL     HALLOW     EVE.        337 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

THE   LAST   FATAL    HALLOW   EVE. 

So  do  the  dark  in  soul  expire. 

Or  live  like  scorpion  girt  with  Ore; 

So  writhes  the  mind  remorse  hath  riven— 

Unfit  for  earth,  undoomed  for  heaven, 

Darkness  above,  despair  beneath, 

Around  it  flame,  within  it  death. — BTBOK. 

THE  awe-stricken  women  drew  nearer  to  gaze  upon  the 
murdered  man. 

"  Grandma,  he  IG  not  dead !  He  breathes,"  exclaimed 
Gem,  whose  young  eyes  had  detected  the  slight,  very  slight 
motion  of  the  man's  chest. 

The  old  woman  knelt  down  beside  the  body,  and  began 
to.  examine  it  more  closely.  The  shirt-bosom,  vest,  and  coat 
front  were  soaked  with  blood,  that  still  seemed  to  ooze  from 
some  hidden  wound. 

She  hastily  unbuttoned  his  clothing,  and  found  a  small 
round  blackened  bullet  hole  over  the  region  of  the  left 
lung. 

"  Turn  him  over  on  his  left  side,  men,"  she  said,  half 
rising  from  her  knee. 

As  they  followed  her  directions,  the  blood  flowed  freely 
both  from  the  wound  and  from  the  mouth  of  the  man. 

"  Joe,  mount  Fleetfoot  and  gallop  to  Blackville  as  fast  as 
you  can  go,  and  bring  Dr.  Hart,  though  I  do  n't  believe  it 
will  be  a  bit  of  use  ;  but  still  it  is  our  duty.  And,  Tabby, 
and  Libby,  stop  wringing  of  your  hands  and  rolling  of  your 
eyes,  and  go  up  stairs  and  fetch  down  the  cot  bedstead  to 
lay  him  on,  for  it  stands  to  reason  we  can't  carry  him  up- 
otairs  without  hastening  of  his  end,"  said  the  old  woman, 
as  she  busied  herself  with  stanching  the  wound  in  the 
chest. 

All  her  01  lers  were  immediately  obeyed. 
21 


838  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

The  cot  bed  was  made  up  in  the  corner  of  the  room,  and 
the  wounded  man  was  tenderly  raised  by  the  two  laborers, 
and  laid  upon  it. 

"  Now  stand  out  of  my  way,  all  of  you,  and  do  n't  ask 
any  questions,  but  be  ready  to  fly,  the  minute  I  tell  you  to 
do  anything,"  said  the  dame,  as  she  stood  over  the  injured 
man  and  still  pressed  a  little  wad  of  lint  over  the  bullet 
hole  to  stanch  the  blood. 

The  other  women  and  the  men  withdrew  to  the  fireplace 
and  waited. 

"He  is  very  nasty  and  uncomfortable-looking,  lying  here 
in  all  these  stained  clothes,  but  I  am  afraid  to  undress  him 
for  fear  of  starting  the  wound  to  bleeding  again,  and  that's 
the  sacred  truth,"  said  Mrs.  Winterose. 

"  No ;  don't  move  me,"  spoke  a  very  faint  voice,  which, 
as  she  afterwards  said,  sounded  so  much  as  if  it  might 
have  come  from  the  dead,  that  the  old  lady  withdrew  her 
hand  and  recoiled  from  it. 

"  Brandy !  brandy  !  "  breathed  the  same  voice. 

"  Tabby,  get  the  brandy  bottle  and  pour  some  into  a  glass 
and  bring  it  here.  Quick  ! "  she  exclaimed. 

Miss  Tabby,  too  much  awed  to  whimper,  brought  the  re 
quired  stimulant,  which  Mrs.  Winterose  immediately  ad 
ministered  to  the  patient. 

The  effect  was  good.  He  breathed  more  freely  and 
looked  around  him. 

"  Now,  be  of  good  cheer !  I  have  sent  a  man  on  a  fast 
horse  for  the  doctor.  He  will  be  here  in  an  hour,"  said 
Mrs.  Winterose  encouragingly. 

The  wounded  man  laughed  faintly,  as  he  replied  : 

"  Why,  what  can  the  doctor  do  for  me  ?  I  'm  shot  to 
death.  I  'd  like  to  see  a  magistrate,  or  a  lawyer,  though." 

"  Would  you  ?  Then  you  shall.  Hey  !  one  of  you  men, 
run  out  to  the  stable  as  fast  as  you  can,  and  see  if  Joe's 
gone.  If  he  is  n't,  tell  him  to  fetch  lawyer  Closeby,  as  well 
as  the  doctor,"  said  Mrs.  Winterose. 


THE     LAST      FATAL     HALLOW      EVE.        339 

Both  of  the  laborers  started  on  the  errand. 

Mrs.  Winterose  turned  to  her  patient. 

"  What  place  is  this  ;  and  who  are  you  ?  "  he  inquired. 

"  Why,  do  n't  you  know  ?  This  is  Black  Hall,  and  I  am 
the  caretaker." 

"  Black  Hall !  "  echoed  the  man,  starting  up  and  gazing 
around  him  with  an  excitement  that  caused  his  wound  to 
break  out  bleeding  again.  "  Black  Hall !  Is  it  here  that 
I  must  die  ?  Here,  and — great  Heaven  ! — in  the  very  room 
where  the  crime  was  committed  !  In  the  very  room  haunt 
ed  by  her  memory  ! " 

And  covering  his  face  with  his  hands,  he  fell  back  upon 
the  pillow. 

"  Tabby,  more  brandy  !  "  hastily  exclaimed  the  old  lady, 
as  she  nervously  pressed  a  fresh  piece  of  lint  into  the  gush 
ing  wound. 

"Yes,  more  brandy,"  he  faintly  whispered;  "keep  me 
alive,  if  possible,  till  the  lawyer  comes." 

Miss  Tabby  brought  the  stimulant,  and  Mrs.  Winterose 
put  it  to  his  lips. 

"  But,  oh,  this  room !  this  fatal  room !  this  haunted 
room  !  "  he  murmured,  with  a  shudder. 

"  Be  quiet,  good  man  ;  this  an't  the  room  where  the  lady 
was  murdered,"  said  Miss  Tabby. 

"  And  which  is  haunted  by  her  ghost  to  this  day,"  put  in, 
Miss  Libby,  who  had  come  up  to  the  side  of  the  bed. 

"  ~Hot — not  the  room  where  Rosa  was  murdered  this  day 
fifteen  years  ago  ?  "  murmured  the  man,  gazing  around  him. 
"  Am  I  delirious,  then  ?  It  seems  the  very  same  room,  only 
with  different  furniture." 

"  It  is  the  correspondial  room  in  this  wing.  T  'other 
room  is  in  t'other  wing,"  explained  Miss  Tabby. 

"  And  yet,  what  difference  ?  what  difference  ?  "  he  mur 
mured,  restlessly. 

"  Mother,"  whispered  Miss  Tabby,  "  it  seems  to  me  aa 
I  've  seen  this  man  before."  •  . 


340  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  Should  n't  wonder,"  replied  the  old  lady  in  a  low  tone. 
"  Mr.  Horace  Blondelle  has  been  living  at  the  Dubarry 
Springs,  within  ten  miles  of  us,  for  the  last  thirteen  or  four 
teen  years,  and  it  would  be  queer  if  you  had  n't  seen  him 
before." 

"  Queer  or  not,  I  never  did  see  Mr.  Horace  Blondelle,  to 
know  him  as  sich,  in  all  my  life  before.  And  that  an't  what 
I  mean  neither,  mother.  I  have  seen  this  man  in  a  fright 
somewhere  or  other." 

"  The  man  in  a  fright  ?  " 

"  No;  me  in  a  fright  when  I  saw  him." 

"  Hush  !  do  n't  whisper !  See,  it  disturbs  him,"  said  the 
old  lady. 

And  in  truth  the  wounded  man  had  turned  to  listen  to 
them,  and  was  gazing  uneasily  from  one  to  the  other. 

When  they  became  silent,  he  beckoned  Miss  Tabby  to  ap 
proach. 

She  bent  over  him. 

"  Now,  look  at  me  well,  old  girl,"  he  whispered  faintly, 
"  and  see  if  you  ca  n't  recollect  when  you  met  me  last." 

"  Ah !  "  screamed  Miss  Tabby,  as  if  she  had  seen  a  ghost. 
"  It  was  on  the  night  of  the  flood '  And  you  reskeed  of 
us!" 

"That's  so." 

"  Well,  then,  my  good  gentleman,  it  ought  to  be  a  com 
fort  and  a  conserlation  to  you,  a  laying  wounded  there,  to 
reflect  as  how  you  did  reskee  us  from  drownding  that  night," 
said  Miss  Tabby,  soothingly. 

"  I  do  n't  know  as  far  as  the  rescuing  of  yon  is  concerned, 
old  girl,  whether  the  act  will  be  found  set  down  on  the  debit 
or  credit  side  of  my  account  at  the  last  day,"  he  said,  with 
a  gleam  of  his  old  humor  sparkling  up  from  beneath  all  his 
pain  of  mind  and  body. 

"  So  this  was  the  man,"  said  the  old  lady  to  herself,  while 
Miss  Libbj  and  even  Gem,  looked  at  him  with  a  new 
interest. 


THE      LAST      FATAL      HALLOW      EVE.         341 

"  Mr.  Blondelle,  can  you  tell  me  how  you  caine  to  be 
wounded  ?  "  inquired  the  old  lady. 

"  No,  not  now.  I  must  save  all  my  strength  for  what  I 
have  to  say  to  the  lawyer.  Give  me  more  brandy.  And 
then  let  me  alone,"  he  said,  speaking  faintly  and  with  diffi 
culty. 

Hia  request  was  complied  with,  and  then  the  three  old 
women,  with  Gem,  withdrew  to  the  fire. 

The  two  laboring  men  came  in  from  their  errand  and 
joined  them  at  the  fire. 

"  Did  you  catch  Joe  ?  "  inquired  the  dame. 

"  Yes,  mum,  just  as  he  was  riding  off.  We  had  to  run 
after  him  and  shout ;  but  we  stopped  him,  and  gave  him 
your  message." 

"  All  right ;  and  now  tell  me — for  I  had  n't  a  chance  to 
ask  before — how  came  this  gentleman  to  be  wounded  ?  " 

"  Do  n't  know,  mum.  We  was  on  our  way  to  a  little 
Hallow  Eve  merry-making  at  a  neighbor's  house  in  the 
Quarries,  when  we  fell  in  long  o'  Joe,  who  had  been  to  the 
pine  woods  to  gather  cones ;  and  we  was  all  jogging  along, 
Joe  foremost,  when  he  stumbled  and  fell  over  something, 
which  proved  to  be  this  man,  which,  to  tell  the  truth,  we 
took  to  be  dead  at  the  time,"  replied  one  of  the  men. 

"  And  have  you  no  idea  who  shot  him  ?  " 

"No  more  than  you  have  yourself,  mum.     You  see — " 

A  groan  from  the  wounded  man  interrupted  the  conver 
sation. 

"  Hush  !  we  disturb  him.  I  ought  to  have  known  better 
than  to  talk,"  whispered  Mrs.  Winterose,  and  then  she 
walked  to  the  bedside  and  inquired: 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?     Can  I  do  anything  for  you?  " 

"No;  let  me  alone,  and  be  quiet,"  was  the  feeble  reply. 

The  old  woman  went  back  to  the  fireplace,  and  sat  down 
in  silence.  The  two  laboring  men,  uninvited,  seated  them 
selves  at  a  short  distance.  All  thoughts  of  going  to  a 
merry-making  were  given  up  for  that  night. 


842  TRIED      FOR     HER     L'FE. 

And  a  weary  'death-watch  commenced,  and  continued  in 
awful  silence  and  stillness  until  it  was  interrupted  by  the 
sound  of  horses'  feet  in  front  of  the  house,  and  soon  after 
by  a  loud  knocking. 

Miss  Tabby  sprang  up  to  open  the  door  and  admit  the 
doctor  and  'the  lawyer. 

"  This  is  a  terrible  thing,  Mrs.  Winterose,"  said  Dr. 
Hart,  as  he  shook  hands  wkh  the  old  lady,  and  bowed  to 
the  other  members  of  the  family. 

"Terrible  indeed,  sir,"  replied  Mra.  Winterose,  as  she 
led  the  way  to  the  bedside. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  see  yc\u  wounded,  Mr.  Blondelle  ;  but  we 
shall  bring  you  round  all  right,"  said  Dr.  Hart,  as  he  took 
the  hand  of  the  dying  man. 

"  Doctor,  you  know,  or  you  will  soon  know,  that  you  can 
not  do  any  such  thing.  So  let  us  have  no  flattery.  But  if 
you  can  give  me  anything  to  keep  me  alive  until  1  shall 
have  finished  a  statement,  that  it  may  take  me  an  hour  to 
make,  you  will  do  the  only  thing  you  possibly  can  do  for  me," 
said  Mr.  Blondelle,  speaking  faintly,  with  difficulty,  and 
with  frequent  pauses. 

"  Let  me  examine  your  injuries,"  said  the  doctor,  gently. 

"  Do  so,  if  you  must  and  will.  But  pray  occupy  as  little 
of  my  precious  time  as  possible,"  pleaded  the  dying  man. 

The  doctor  proceeded  to  make  his  examination. 

When  he  had  finished  it,  he  made  not  a  single  comment. 

"  I  told  you  so,"  said  Mr.  Blondelle,  interpreting  his 
silence.  "  And  now  give  me  something  to  keep  me  going 
until  I  finish  my  work,  and  then  send  all  these  women  out 
of  the  room,  so  as  to  leave  us  alone  with  the  lawyer ;  but 
let  them  supply  him  with  writing  materials  first." 

"  I  will  do  as  you  direct ;  but  meanwhile,  shall  I  not  send 
for  your  wife  ?"  gently  inquired  the  doctor. 

"  No  ;  what  would  be  the  use  ?  .  It  will  be  all  over  with 
me  before  she  can  possibly  get  here,"  answered  Mr.  Blon 
delle. 


THE      LAST     FATAL      HALLOW      EVE.         343 

The  doctor  did  not  urge  the  point ;  he  probably  agreed 
with  his  patient. 

When  he  had  administered  a  stimulant,  he  whispered  to 
Mrs.  Winterose  to  place  writing  materials  on  the  little 
stand  beside  the  cot,  and  then  to  take  her  daughters  and 
Gem  up  stairs. 

When  the  women  had  left  the  room,  the  doctor  bade  the 
two  laboring  men  retire  with  Joe  to  the  kitchen,  where  he 
himself  would  have  followed  them,  seeing  that  the  rest  of 
the  house  was  closed  up  and  fireless  ;  but  at  a  sign  from  the 
dying  man,  he  stayed,  and  took  a  seat  by  the  bedside. 

The  Iaw3rer  sat  between  the  bed's  head  and  the  little 
stand  upon  which  pens,  ink,  and  paper  had  been  placed. 

"  It  is  a  will,"  said  Mr.  Closeby,  as  he  rolled  out  a  sheet 
of  parchment  he  had  taken  the  precaution  to  bring. 

The  dying  man  laughed  low  as  he  replied  : 

"  No,  it  is  a  confession.  I  can  make  it  now,  when  it  will 
redeem  her  life  without  ruining  mine." 

The  lawyer  and  the  doctor  exchanged  glances,  but  made 
no  comment. 

What  Mr.  Horace  Blondelle's  confession  would  be  they 
had  already  surmised.  What  it  really  was  will  be  seen 
presently. 

The  work  occupied  something  more  than  an  hour,  for  the 
narrator  was  very  weak  from  loss  of  blood,  and  spoke 
slowly,  faintly,  and  with  frequent  pauses,  while  the  lawyer, 
at  leisure,  took  down  his  words,  and  the  doctor  from  time 
to  time  consulted  his  pulse  and  administered  stimulants. 

Meanwhile  the  three  old  women,  with  Gem,  remained  up 
stairs,  gathered  around  the  small  fire  in  their  bed-room. 
Awe  hushed  their  usually  garrulous  tones,  or  moved  them 
to  speak  only  in  whispers.  Never  seemed  an  hour  so  long. 
At  length  it  was  past,  and  more  than  past,  when  the  door 
at  the  foot  of  the  stairs  was  opened,  and  the  doctor's  voic» 
was  heard  calling  upon  them  to  come  down. 


844  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  Is  it  all  over  ? "  whisperingly  inquired  Mrs.  "Win- 
terose. 

"  The  work  is  over." 

"  But  the  man,  I  mean." 

"  It  is  not  all  over  with  him  yet.  He  still  lives,  though 
sinking  fast." 

"  Do  n't  you  think  he  ought  to  have  a  clergyman  ?  " 

"  He  would  be  dead  before  a  clergyman  could  be  brought 
here." 

This  rapid,  low-toned  conversation  took  place  at  the  foot 
of  the  stairs,  out  of  hearing  of  the  dying  man,  whose 
senses  were  fast  failing. 

Mrs.  Winterose  then  came  down  into  the  room  and  took 
her  seat  by  the  bed,  and  from  time  to  time  bathed  the  suf 
ferer's  brow  with  her  own  preparation  of  aromatic  vinegar, 
or  moistened  his  lips  with  brandy  and  water. 

Tabby,  Libby,  and  Gem  sat  around  the  fire.     The  doc 
tor  and  the  lawyer  stood  conferring  in  a  low  tone  at  a  di» 
tant  window. 

Thus  the  death-watch  was  kept  in  the  silence  of  awe, 
until  Miss  Tabby,  unable  to  resist  her  desire  to  do  some 
thing  for  the  sufferer,  crept  up  to  the  side  of  the  cot  oppo 
site  to  which  her  mother  sat,  and  "shook  his  sands,"  by 
asking  him  in  a  low  tone  : 

"  Is  there  no  one  in  the  world  you  would  like  to  see,  or 
to  send  a  message  to  ?  " 

«  No — no  one — but  Sybil  Berners — and  I  have  written 
a  message  to— her ;  but — to  see  her — is  impossible,"  gasp 
ed  the  man  at  intervals. 

"  Tabby,  go  sit  down  and  keep  quiet.  You  only  worry 
the  poor  soul !  "  said  Mrs.  Wiuterose. 

Miss  Tabby  complied,  and  the  silent  death-watch  was  re 
sumed,  and  continued  unbroken  except  by  the  howling  of 
the  wind,  the  beating  of  the  rain,  and  the  rattling  of  the 
leafless  trees,  until  at  length — inexplicable  sound  ! — wheels 


RETURN      OF      THE     EXILE.  345 

were  heard,  grating  over  the  rough,  neglected  avenue,  and 
approaching  the  house. 

Who  could  it  be,  coming  at  that  late  hour  of  a  stormy 
night,  to  a  house  to  which,  even  in  daj'light  and  good 
weather,  scarcely  a  visitor  ever  came  ? 

The  sound  of  the  wheels  ceased  before  the  door,  and  was 
immediately  followed  by  a  knock. 

"  Burglars  never  come  in  wheeled  carriages,"  said  Miss 
Tabby  to  herself,  as  she  recovered  her  courage,  and  went 
and  opened  the  door. 

She  recoiled  with  a  loud  cry. 

Every  one  started  up,  and  hurried  forward  to  see  what 
could  now  be  the  matter. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

RETURN    OF   THE   EXILE. 

Long  years  had  seen  her  roaming 

A  Bad  and  weary  way, 
Like  traveller  tired  at  gloaming, 

Of  a  sultry  summer-day. 

But  now  a  home  doth  greet  her, 

Though  worn  its  portals  be. 
And  ready  kindness  meet  her, 

And  peace  that,  will  not  flee. — PEECIVAL. 

SYBIL  BERNERS  stood  before  them  !  Sybil  Berners,  in 
magnificent  beauty !  Sybil  Berners,  developed  into  a 
woman  of  majestic  dignity  and  angelic  grace  ! 

Yet  they  all  knew  her  in  an  instant. 

The  scene  that  followed  is  indescribable,  unimaginable. 

Forgotten  was  the  dying  man  !  Unseen  was  Lyon  Ber 
ners,  whose  fine  form  filled  up  the  door-way. 

They  crowded  around  her,  they  caressed  her,  they  cried 
over  her,  they  exclaimed  about  her,  they  asked  her  a  score 


346  TRIED     FOR      HER     LIFE. 

of  questions,  and  without  waiting  for  a  single  answer  asked 
her  a  hundred  others. 

"  God  hless  my  dear  old  home,  and  all  the  people  in  it ! " 
were  the  first  words  that  Sybil  spoke  after  she  was  permit 
ted  to  catch  her  breath. 

"  And  you,  my  darling,  you  !  God  bless  you  in  coming 
home  !  "  fervently  exclaimed  the  old  woman. 

"  Now,  where  is  my  child,  Mrs.  Winterose  ?  Where  is 
my  Gem  ?  "  the  lady  inquired,  looking  eagerly  around  the 
room. 

"  Gem-,  come  here,"  said  the  dame. 

And  the  beautiful  young  girl  who  had  been  timidly  lin 
gering  in  the  background,  yet  with  some  suspicion  of  the 
lady's  identity  too,  came  modestly  forward,  and  was  silently 
folded  in  the  arms  of  her  mother. 

A  moment  they  clung  thus ;  and  then  Sybil  lifted  the 
young  head  from  her  bosom,  and  holding  it  between  her 
hands  gazed  tenderly  down  in  the  sweet  face. 

"  My  daughter  !  my  little  Gem  !  "  she  murmured.  "  It 
is  but  a  few  months  since  I  knew  that  I  possessed  you." 

"But  I  always  knew  that  you  were  my  mother.  I 
always  know  it,  though  no  one  ever  told  me ! "  sobbed 
Gem. 

"  And  did  you  think  that  I  had  deserted  you  all  this 
time,  my  daughter,  my  daughter  ?  "  inquired  the  lady,  lin 
gering  on  the  last  word,  and  tenderly  gazing  into  her  dark 
eyes. 

"  I  thought  you  were  compelled  to  do  it,  motherJ  " 

"What!  to  leave  you  here  alone,  uncared  for  and  un 
schooled,  all  these  long  years  ?  No,  my  daughter  ;  no,  no, 
no.  I  did  not  know  that  I  was  blessed  with  a  daughter ; 
I  did  not  know  that  you  lived,  until  within  a  few  months 
past.  Mistaken  love  for  me,  inordinate  care  for  me,  in 
duced  all  those  who  were  nearest  to  me  to  conceal  your  ex 
istence  from  me,  lest,  if  I  should  know  it,  I  should  coin- 


XETURN      OF      THE     EXILE.  347 

promise  my  safety,  my  liberty  and  life,  Gem,  by  seeking  to 
see  you  ! " 

"  Oh,  mother  ! " 

"  And  they  were  so  far  right,  my  darling,  that  as  soon  as 
at  last,  your  father  informed  me  of  your  existence,  and  of 
a  necessity  to  bring  you  over  to  us  for  education,  I  became 
so  impatient  that  I  could  not  wait  for  you  to  be  brought  to 
me.  I  felt  that  I  must  fetch  you,  at  all  risks,  for  the  sake 
of  seeing  you  some  few  weeks  earlier  than  I  could  by  wait 
ing  for  you  over  there  !  So  here  I  am,  my  daughter  !  " 

"  But  oh  !  dearest,  dearest  mother,  at  what  a  hazard  ! " 
sighed  Gem. 

"  I  do  not  believe  it,  my  darling.  I  do  not  believe,  after 
all  these  years,  that  any  one  will  seek  to  molest  me  for  the 
few  da}'s  that  I  shall  remain  here,  even  if  my  presence 
should  be  suspected,  which  will  be  very  improbable,  as  I 
have  taken  and  shall  take  every  precaution  for  secrecy.  I 
have  travelled  only  by  night,  Gem,  and  this  is  the  first  time 
I  have  raised  my  thick  vail.'' 

"  But  oh,  mother ! "  she  said,  giving  an  alarmed  look 
around,  for  she  suddenly  remembered  that  there  were  the 
doctor  and  the  lawyer  in  the  house ;  but  she  did  not  see 
them.  They  had  discreetly  withdrawn  into  the  back  room. 

"And  now,  dear  Gem,  here  is  your  father,  who  is  waiting 
to  embrace  you,"  said  Sybil. 

And  Lyon  Berners,  who  had  forborne  to  interrupt  the 
meeting  between  the  mother  and  daughter,  and  who  was 
standing  apart,  talking  in  low,  eager  tones  with  Mrs.  Win- 
terose,  now  came  forward  and  folded  his  daughter  to  his 
heart,  and  laid  his  hand  upon  her  head  and  blessed  her. 

"But  who  is  that?"  exclaimed  Sybil,  in  a  startled  tone, 
as  she  turned  her  eyes  upon  a  ghastly  and  blood-stained 
form,  sitting  bolt  upright  on  the  cot  bedstead,  and  staring 
in  a  death  panic  at  her. 

At  her  exclamation  all  eyes  were  turned  in  the  direction 


348  TRIED     FOR      HER      LIFE. 

that  hers  had  taken,  and  Mr.  Berners  looked  inquiringly 
towards  Mrs.  Winterose  who  hastened  to  reply  : 

"  Oh,  I  forgot.  In  nay  joy  at  her  arrival,  I  forgot  all 
about  the  poor  dying  man  !  Sir,  he  is  Mr.  Blondelle,  who 
owns  the  great  Dubarry  Springs  up  yonder.  He  was  set 
upon  and  murdered  by — the  Lord  only  knows  whom — but 
he  was  found  by  Joe  lying  in  the  pine  woods,  and  with  the 
help  of  two  laborers  he  was  brought  here.  We  sent  for  the 
doctor,  but  he  could  do  nothing  for  him.  He  must  die,  and 
he  knows  it,"  she  added,  in  a  whisper. 

In  the  mean  time,  Sybil,  staring  at  the  ghastly  face  which 
was  staring  back  at  her  through  its  glazing  eyes,  recognised 
an  old  acquaintance. 

"  It  is  Satan  !  "  she  gasped.    "  It  is  Captain  •'  Inconnu  ! ' ' 

And  Miss  Tabby  moved  by  compassion,  went  up  to  him 
and  whispered  : 

"  Listen,  now.  You  said  there  was  only  one  person  in 
the  world  as  you  wanted  to  see,  and  that  it  was  impossible 
to  see  her.  But  here  she  is.  Do  you  understand  me  ? 
Here  she  is." 

"  Who  ?  Who  ? "  panted  the  dying  man,  listening  to 
Miss  Tabby,  but  still  staring  at  Sybil  in  the  same  dazed 
manner. 

"Sybil  Berners  !     Sybil  Berners  is  here  ! " 

"  Is— thatr-her  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yes  ;  do  n't  you  see  it  is  ?  " 

"  I  thought  —  I  thought  —  it  was  her  phantom  ! "  he 
gasped. 

Sybil  gravely  approached  the  bed,  and  put  her  hand  on 
the  cold  hand  of  the  corpse-like  man,  and  gently  inquired : 

"  Mr.  Blondelle,  or  Captain  '  Inconnu/  did  you  want  to 
see  me  ?  " 

"  The  expiring  flame  of  life  flashed  up,  onco  more — 
flashed  up  brilliantly.  His  whole  face  brightened  and 
beamed. 


RETURN      OF     THE     EXILE.  849 

"  It  is  you  !  Oh,  thank  Heaven  !  Yes,  I  did  want  to 
see  you.  But —  It  is  growing  very  dark.  Where  have 
you  gone?  "  he  inquired,  blindly  feeling  about. 

"  I  am  beside  you.  Here,  take  iny  hand,  that  you  may 
feel  that  I  am  here,"  said  Sybil,  compassionately. 

"  Yes.  Thanks.  Lady,  I  did  try  very  hard  to  save  you 
from  the  consequences  of  my  crime." 

"  Wretched  man  !  "  exclaimed  Sybil  impulsively  snatch 
ing  away  her  hand  in  abhorrence,  "  You  murdered  that 
unhappy  woman,  of  whose  death  I  was  falsely  accused." 

"  No,  lady ;  no !  Give  me  your  hand  again.  Mine  ia 
not  stained  with  her  blood.  Thaiik  you,"  he  said,  as  Sybil 
laid  her  hand  in  his. 

"  A  wild,  bad  man  I  was  and  am,  but  no  murderer  ;  and 
yet  it  is  no  less  true  that  it  was  through  my  fault  that  the 
poor  woman  was  done  to  death,  and  you  driven  to  insanity. 
That  was  the  reason  why  I  tried  to  save  you  by  every  other 
means  but  the  only  sure  one — confession.  But  now,  when 
a  confession  will  redeem  your  life  without  ruining  mine- 
mine — which  is  over — I  have  made  it,  under  oath,  signed 
it,  and  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  your  solicitor,  lawyer 
Closeby." 

He  ceased  to  speak,  and  he  breathed  very  hard. 

She  continued  to  hold  his  hand,  which  grew  colder  and 
colder  in  her  clasp. 

"  Lie  down,"  she  whispered  gently.  "  You  are  too  weak 
to  sit  up.  Lie  down." 

"  Xo,  not  yet,"  he  panted  hard.  "  Tell  me  :  do  you 
forgive  me  ?  " 

"  As  I  hope  to  be  forgiven,  I  forgive  you  with  all  my 
heart  and  soul ;  and  I  pray  to  the  Lord  to  pardon  you,  for 
the  Saviour's  sake,"  said  Sybil,  earnestly. 

"  Amen  and  amen  !  "  faintly  aspirated  the  expiring  man. 
And  his  frozen  hand  slipped  from  Sybil's  clasp,  and  he  fell 
back  upon  his  pillow — DEAD. 


350  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

Sybil's  sudden  cry  brought  the  three  old  women  to  the 
bedside. 

"  It  is  all  over,  my  dear  child.  The  poor  man  has  gone 
to  his  account.  Come  away,"  said  the  experienced  dame, 
when  she  had  looked  at  the  corpse. 

"  I  am  very  glad  as  you  happened  to  come  in  time,  and 
as  you  was  good  to  him  and  forgave  him,  whether  he 
deserved  it  or  not,"  wept  the  tender-hearted  Miss  Tabby. 

"  Every  one  who  is  penitent  enough  to  ask  for  forgive 
ness  deserves  to  have  it,  Miss  Tabby,"  said  Sybil,  solemnly. 

"  But,  oh  !  the  signs  and  omens  as  ushered  in  this  awful 
ewent !  "  whispered  Miss  Libby. 

"  Hush  !  hush  ! "  said  the  dame.  "  No  more  vain  talk. 
We  are  in  the  presence  of  death.  Mr.  Lyon,  my  dear  sir, 
take  your  wife  and  daughter  into  the  parlor.  It  is  not 
damp,  or  close.  It  was  aired  yesterday.  The  whole  house 
has  been  opened  and  aired  faithful,  once  a  month,  ever  since 
you  have  been  away.  And  Joe  went  and  made  a  fire  ia 
the  parlor  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  ago.  Take  them  in 
there,  Mr.  Lyon,  and  leave  me  and  my  daughters  to  do  our 
last  duties  to  this  dead  man,"  she  added,  turning  to  Mr. 
Berners. 

He  followed  her  advice,  and  took  his  wife  and  daughter 
from  the  room  of  death. 

As  they  entered  the  old  familiar  parlor,  now  well  aired 
and  warmed  and  lighted,  Joe,  who  was  still  busy  improving 
the  fire,  and  Mopsy,  who  was  dusting  the  furniture,  came 
forward  in  a  hurry  to  greet  their  beloved  mistress.  They 
loudly  welcomed  her,  wept  over  her,  blessed  her,  kissed  her 
hands,  and  would  not  let  her  go  until  the  door  opene  i,  and 
Dr.  Hart  and  lawyer  Closeby  entered  the  room. 

"Go  now,"  said  Sybil  gently  to  her  faithful  servants. 
"  Mopsy,  see  to  having  my  bed-room  got  ready ;  and,  Joe, 
carry  up  a  plenty  of  wood." 

And  of  course  she  gave  them  these  directions  £'.I  th» 


RETURN      OF      THE     EXILE.  .l 

sake  of  giving  them  something  to  do  for  herself,  which  she 
knew  would  please  them. 

Delighted  to  obey  their  beloved  mistress,  they  left  the 
room. 

Dr.  Hart  and  lawyer  Closeby  came  up  to  Sybil. 

"  Let  us  welcome  you  home,  Mrs.  Berners !  And  you, 
sir !  Words  would  fail  to  express  our  happiness  in  seeing 
you.  You  arrive  in  an  auspicious  hour  too.  If  you  had 
not  come  I  should  have  dispatched  a  special  messenger  to 
Europe  after  you  by  the  next  steamer,"  said  lawyer  Close- 
by,  grasping  a  hand  each  of  Sybil  and  Lyon. 

"  Welcome,  my  child  !  Welcome,  Sybil !  Welcome 
home !  I  thank  Heaven  that  I  have  lived  to  see  this  day. 
Well  may  I  exclaim  with  one  of  old,  '  Now,  Lord,  let 
thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for  I  have  seen  the  desire  of 
my  eyes  ! '  "  fervently  exclaimed  old  Dr.  Hart,  as  he  clasped 
and  shook  Sybil's  hands,  while  the  tears  of  joy  filled  his 
eyes. 

But  Sybil  threw  her  arms  around  his  neck  and  kissed 
him,  for  she  could  not  speak. 

Then  he  shook  hands  with  Mr.  Berners,  and  warmly 
welcomed  him  home. 

When  the  congratulations  were  all  over,  and  the  friends 
were  seated  around  the  fire,  Mr.  Closeby  drew  a  parchment 
packet  from  his  pocket,  and  said : 

"  I  told  you,  Sir,  and  Madam,  that  you  had  arrived  in 
time  to  prevent  my  sending  for  you.  I  hold  the  cause  of 
my  words  in  my  hand." 

"  The  confession  of  Horace  Blondelle  ?  "  said  Mr.  Ber 
ners,  while  Sybil  listened  eagerly. 

"  Yes  ;  the  confession  of  Horace  Blondelle,  alias  Captain 
Inconnu,  alias  Satan.  This  confession  must  first  be  read  to 
you,  then  sent  up  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  and  finally 
published  to  the  whole  world ;  for  it  fully  vindicates  your 
honor,  Mrs.  Earners." 


832  TRIED     FOR     HER     LIFE. 

"  At  last !  thank  Heaven  I "  exclaimed  Sybil,  while  her 
husband  took  one  of  her  hands  and  pressed  it,  and  her 
daughter  took  the  other  one  and  kissed  it. 

"  The  writing  down  of  this  confession  from  the  lips  of  the 
dying  man  occupied  an  hour  and  a  quarter ;  the  reading  of 
it  will  take  perhaps  fifteen  minutes.  Can  you  hear  it  now, 
or  are  you  too  much  fatigued  with  your  journey,  and  would 
you  prefer  to  put  off  the  reading  until  to-morrow  morning  ?  " 
inquired  the  lawyer,  looking  from  Sybil  to  Lyon. 

"  Put  off  the  reading  of  that  document  until  to-morrow  ? 
By  no  means  !  Read  it  at  once,  if  you  please,"  replied  Mr. 
Berners,  with  a  glance  at  his  wife,  which  she  at  once  under 
stood  and  acted  upon  by  hastening  to  say  : 

"  Oh,  yes  !  yes !  read  it  at  once !  I  could  not  sleep  no\r 
without  first  hearing  it." 

"  Very  well,  then,"  said  the  lawyer,  as  he  unfolded  the 
paper  and  prepared  to  peruse  it. 

The  confession  of  Horace  Blondelle  need  not  be  given  in 
full  here.  A  synopsis  of  it  will  serve  our  purpose. 

As  the  son  of  a  wicked  old  nobleman  and  a  worthless 
young  ballet  dancer,  he  had  been  brought  up  in  the  very 
worst  school  of  morality. 

His  mother  closed  her  career  in  a  hospital.  His  father 
died  at  an  advanced  age,  leaving  him  a  large  legacy. 

His  beauty,  his  wit,  and  his  money  enabled  him  to  insin 
uate  himself  into  the  rather  lax  society  of  fashionable 
watering  places  and  other  public  resorts. 

He  had  married  three  times.  First  he  married  a  certain 
Lady  Riordon,  the  wealthy  widow  of  an  Irish  knight,  and 
the  mother  of  Raphael,  who  became  his  step-son.  He  soon 
squandered  this  lady's  fortune,  and  broke  her  heart. 

After  her  death  he  joined  himself  to  a  band  of  smugglers 
trading  between  the  French  and  English  coast,  and  consort 
ed  with  them  until  he  had  made  money  for  a  fashionable 
campaign  among  the  watering  places.  He  went  to  Scar- 


RETURN      OF     THE     EXILE.  353 

borough,  where  he  met  and  married  the  fair  young  Scotch 
widow  Rosa  Douglass. 

He  lived  with  her  until  he  had  spent  all  her  money,  and 
swindled  her  infant  out  of  his  inheritance,  and  then  he  had 
robbed  her  of  her  jewels  and  deserted  her. 

About  the  same  time  a  smuggling  craft,  unsuspected  as 
such  by  the  authorities,  had  entered  the  port  of  Norfolk, 
sailing  under  the  British  flag. 

Mr.  Horace  Blondelle,  going  to  take  passage  in  her,  re 
cognized  the  captain  and  the  crew  as  his  own  old  confeder 
ates. 

As  he  was  quite  ready  for  new  adventures,  he  joined  them 
then  and  there.  The  ship  sailed  the  next  day.  And  the 
next  week  it  was  wrecked  on  the  coast  of  Virginia. 

The  lives  of  the  captain  and  crew,  and  also  the  money 
and  jewels,  the  silks  and  spirits  they  had  on  board,  were  all 
saved.  They  reached  the  land  in  safety. 

There  a  new  scheme  was  formed  in  the  busy  brain  of  Mr. 
Blondelle.  Accident  had  revealed  to  him  the  fact  that  the 
little  Gentiliska,  the  orphan  daughter  of  a  dead  comrade, 
was  the  heiress  of  a  great  Virginian  manor,  long  unclaimed. 
He  made  up  his  mind  to  go  and  look  up  the  estate,  marry 
the  heiress,  and  claim  her  rights. 

Without  revealing  his  whole  plan  to  his  companions,  he 
persuaded  them  to  accompany  him  to  the  neighborhood. 

There  is  a  freemasonry  among  thieves  that  enables  them 
to  recognize  each  other  even  at  a  first  meeting. 

Blondelle  and  his  band  no  sooner  reached  the  neighbor 
hood  of  the  Black  Mountain,  than  they  strengthened  their 
forces  by  the  addition  of  all  the  local  outlaws  who  were  at 
large. 

They  made  their  head-quarters  first  at  the  old  deserted 
"  Haunted  Chapel."  They  penetrated  into  the  vault  be 
neath  it,  and  there  discovered  the  clue  to  the  labyrinth  of 
22 


354  TBIXD     FOR     HER      LIFE. 

caverns  under  the  mountain  that  henceforth  became  their 
stronghold. 

Thence  they  sallied  out  at  night  upon  their  predatory 
errands. 

On  the  night  of  the  mask  ball,  two  members  of  the  band 
determined  to  attend  it  in  disguise,  for  the  double  purpose 
of  espionage  and  robbery.  Mr.  Blondelle  had  learned  to 
his  chagrin  that  his  deserted  wife  was  in  the  neighborhood, 
at  Black  Hall,  where  her  presence  of  course  would  defeat 
his  plan  of  marrying  the  little  Dubarry  heiress. 

He  arrived  as  an  ordinary  traveller  at  the  Blackville  Inn, 
where  he  assumed  the  ghastly  and  fantastic  character  of 
"  Death,"  and  went  to  the  ball. 

His  companion,  known  in  the  band  as  "Belial,"  took  the 
character  of  Satan,  and  met  him  there. 

With  great  dexterity,  they  had  lightened  several  ladies 
and  gentlemen  of  valuable  jewels  before  supper  was 
announced.  And  then  they  went  and  concealed  themselves 
in  the  heavy  folds  of  the  bed-curtains  in  Mrs.  Blondelle's 
room,  intending  to  rob  the  house  that  night. 

An  accident  revealed  the  presence  of  Belial  to  Mrs. 
Blondelle,  who,  on  catching  sight  of  him,  screamed  loudly 
for  help.  The  robber  was  at  her  throat  in  an  instant ;  in 
another  instant  his  dagger  was  buried  in  her  bosom  ;  and 
then,  as  Sybil's  steps  were  heard  hurrying  to  the  help  of 
her  guest,  he  jumped  out  of  the  low  window,  followed 
instantly  by  Blondelle.  They  clapped  the  shutter  to,  and 
fled. 

Subsequently,  when  Mr.  Blondelle  discovered  that  tho 
beautiful  Sybil  Berners  was  accused  of  the  murder,  he 
sought  to  save  her  in  every  manner  but  the  only  sure  one 
— confession.  He  could  not  confess,  for  two  reasons.  He 
was  bound  by  the  mutual  compact  of  the  band,  never  to 
betray  a  comrade ;  and  also  he  was  resolved  now  that  he 
was  free,  to  marry  the  Dubarry  heiress  and  claim  the 


RETURN      OF      THE     EXILE.  855 

manor,  which  he  could  never  do,  if  once  he  were  known  as 
au  outlaw. 

The  death  of  Belial  and  the  disbanding  of  the  rohbers 
released  him  from  his  compact ;  but  still  self-preservation 
kept  him  silent  until  the  hour  of  his  death,  when  he  made 
this  confession  as  an  act  of  tardy  justice  to  Sybil  Berners. 
His  violent  death  had  been  the  direct  result  of  his  lawless 
life.  A  brutal  ex-confederate  in  crime  had  long  successfully 
black-mailed  him,  and  at  length  waylaid,  robbed,  and  mur 
dered  him.  The  criminal  subsequently  fled  the  neighbor 
hood,  but  no  doubt  somewhere,  sooner  or  later,  met  his 
deserts. 

The  confession  was  ended.  At  the  same  time  Misa 
Tabby  knocked  at  the  door  and  announced  supper. 

And  after  this  refreshment  the  friends  separated,  and 
retired  to  rest. 

There  is  but  little  more  to  tell. 

The  next  day  news  of  the  tragedy  was  taken  to  the 
Dubarry  Springs. 

Raphael  Riordon  and  his  step-mother,  Mrs.  Bloudelle, 
came  over  to  view  the  corpse  and  see  to  its  removal. 

Gentiliska,  now  a  very  handsome  matron,  gazed  at  the 
dead  body  with  a  strangely  mingled  expression  of  pity, 
dislike,  sorrow,  and  relief.  She  had  not  been  happy  with 
the  outlaw,  whom,  in  her  ignorance  and  friendlessness,  she 
had  been  induced  to  marry  ;  and  she  was  not  now  unhappy 
in  his  death. 

Raphael,  now  a  grave  and  handsome  man,  met  Mrs.  Ber- 
uers  with  a  sad  composure.     He  worshipped  her  as  con 
stantly  and  as  purely  as  ever.     He  had  known  no  second 
faith. 

Mr.  Blondelle  was  buried  at  Dubarry. 

His  confession  was  duly  laid  before  the  Governor  of 
Virginia,  who,  in  granting  Sybil  a  pardon  for  the  crime  she 
had  never  committed,  also  wrote  her  a  vindicatory  letter,  in. 


356  TRIED      FOR     HER      LIFE. 

which  he  expressed  his  respect  for  her  many  virtues,  and 
his  sorrow  that  the  blundering  of  the  law  should  have 
caused  her  so  much  of  suffering. 

The  criminal's  confession  and  the  Governor's  letter  were 
both  published  through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land. 
And  Sybil  Berners  became  as  much  loved  and  lionized  as 
ever  she  had  been  hated  and  persecuted. 

In  the  spring  other  exiles  returned  to  the  neighborhood  : 
Captain  Pendleton  and  his  wife,  once  Miss  Minnie  Sheri 
dan  ;  and  Mr.  Sheridan,  with  his  wife,  once  Miss  Beatrix 
Pendleton. 

Both  these  couples  had  long  been  married,  and  had  been 
olessed  with  large  families  of  sons  and  daughters. 

The  widow  Blondelle  sold  out  her  interest  in  the  Dubarry 
White  Sulphur  Springs,  and  with  her  step-son  Raphael 
Kiordon,  returned  to  England.  Under  another  name,  those 
springs  are  now  among  the  most  popular  in  America. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berners  have  but  one  child — Gem  !  But 
she  is  the  darling  of  their  hearts  and  eyes;  and  she  ia 
betrothed  to  Cromartie  Douglass,  whom  they  love  as  a  son. 


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$1.75  each;  or  $22.75  a  set,  each  set  is^put  up  in  a  neat  box. 

The  Discarded  Wife, $1  75 

The  Clandestine  Marriage, 1  75 


The  Hidden  Sin, 1 

The  Dethroned  Heiress, 1  75 

The  Gipsy's  Warning, 1  75 

AH  For  Love, 1  75 


Why  Did  He  Marry  Her? SI  75 

Who  Shall  be  Victor? 1  75 

The  Mysterious  Guest, 1  75 

Was  He  Guilty? 1  75 

The  Cancelled  Will, 1  75 

The  Planter's  Daughter, 1  75 


Michael  Rudolph;  or,  the  Bravest  of  the  Brave, 1  75 

Above  are  eueh  in  cloth,  or  eacli  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

EMERSON  BENNETT'S  WORKS. 

Complete  in  seven  larg-   duodecimo  volumes,  bound  in  cloth,  gilt  back,  prict  $1.75 
each ;  <rr  $12.:id  a  set,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 


The  Border  Rover, $1  75 

Clara  Morelund, 1  75 

The  Orphan's  Trials, 1  75 


Bride  of  the  Wilderness, $1  75 

Ellen  Norbury, I  75 

Kate  Clarendon, 1  75 


Viula:  or  Adventures  in  the  Far  Sontli-West, I  75 

Above  are  each  iu  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

The  Heiress  of  Bellefonte, 75  |  The  Pioneer's  Daughter, 75 

DOESTICKS'  WORKS. 

Complete  in  four  large  duodecimo  volumes,  bound  in  cloth,  gilt  back,  price  $1.75 
each  ;  or  $7.00  a  set,  each  set  tV  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 

Do°stioks'  Letters, $1  75  I  The  Elephant  Club, .$1  75 

Plu-Ri-Bus-T.ih, 1  75  |  Witches  of  New  York, 1   75 

Above  are  each  in  cloth,  or  ench  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

GREEN'S  WORKS  ON  GAMBLING. 

Complete  in  four  large  duodecimo   volumes,  bound   in  cloth,  gilt  back,  price  $1.75 
eachf  or  $7.00  a  set,  each  set  is  put  np  in  a  neat  box. 

Gambling  Exposed, $1  75  i  Reformed  Gambler, SI  75 

The  Gambler's  Life, 1  75  |  Secret  Bund  of  Brother?, 1  75 

Above  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

DOW'S  PATENT  SERMONS. 

Complete  in  four  large  J'lodrcimo  volumes,  bound  in  cloth,  gilt  back,  price   $1.50 
each  ;  or  $6.00  a.  set,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 


Dow's    Patent     Sermon? 

Series,  cloth, $1  50 

Dow's     Putenc    Sermons,    2d 

Series,  cloth 1    50 


Dow's  Patent  Sermons,  3d 
Series,  cloth,  „...., $1  50 

Dow's  Patent  Sermons,  4th 
Series,  cloth 1  50 


Above  arc  ench  in  cloth,  or  ea<;h  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  §1.00  each. 

WILKIE  COLLINS'  BEST  WORKS. 

Basil;  or,  The  Crossed  Path..$l  50  |  The  Dead  Secret.     12mo $1  50 

Above  are  each  ia  one  large  duodecimo  volume,  bound  iu  cloth. 


The  Dead  Secret,  8vo 50 

Ba?il ;  or,  the  Crossed  Path, 75 

Hidennd  Seek, 75 

After  Dark 75 


The  Queen's  Revenge,.... .,...,....  75 

Miss  or  Mrs? 50 

Mad  Monkton, 50 

Sights  a-Poot 50 


Tho  Stolen  Mask 2f>  |  The  Yellow  Musk....  25  |  Sister  Rose,...  25 

The  above  hooks  are  each  issued  in  paper  cover,  in  octavo  form. 

FRANK  FORRESTER'S  SPORTING  BOOK. 

Frnnlt  Forrester's  Sporting  Scenes  and  Characters.     By  Herlly  Wil 
liam  Herbert.     With  Illustrations  by  Dar'ey.     Two  vols.,  cloth,. ..$4  00 

gJT  Above  Sooks  will  be  sent,  postage  paid,  on  receipt  of  Hotail  Price, 
by  I.  B.  Peterson  &  Brothers,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


4    T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS. 
BOOKS  FOR  PRIVATE  STUDY  AND  SCHOOLS. 

The  Lawrence  Speaker.  A  Selection  of  Literary  Gems  in  Poetry  and 
Prose,  designed  for  the  use  of  Colleges,  Schools,  Seminaries,  Literary 
Societies.  By  Philip  Lawrence,  Professor  of  Elocution.  600  pages..$2  00 

Coinstock's  Elocution  and  Model  Speaker.  Intended  for  the  use  of 
Schools,  Colleges,  and  for  private  Study,  for  the  Promotion  of 
Health,  Cure  of  Stammering,  and  Defective  Articulation.  By  An 
drew  Comstock  and  Philip  Lawrence.  With  236  Illustration? 2  00 

The  French,  German,  Spanish,  Latin  and  Italian  Langunges  Without 
a  Master.  Whereby  any  one  of  these  Languages  can  be  learned 
without  a  Teacher.  By  A.  H.  Monteith.  One  volume,  cloth 2  00 

Comstoek's  Colored  Chart.  Being  a  perfect  Alphabet  of  the  Eng 
lish  Language,  Graphic  and  Typic,  with  exercises  in  Pitch,  Force 
and  Gesture,  and  Sixty-Eight  colored  figures,  representing  the  va 
rious  postures  and  different  attitudes  to  he  used  in  declamation. 
On  a  large  Roller.  Every  School  should  have  a  copy  of  it, 5  00 

Liehig's  Complete  Works  o.n  Chemistry.     By  Baron  Justus  Liebig...  2  00 

WORKS  BY  THE  VERY  BEST  AUTHORS. 

The  following  books  are  each   issued    in    one  large    duodecimo  volume, 
bound  in  cloth,  at  $1.75  each,  or  each  one  is  inpaper  cover,  at  $1.50  eui-h. 

The  Initials.     A  Love  Story.      By  Baroness  Tautpbosus, $1  75 

The  Autobiography  of  Edward  Wortley  Montagu, 1  75 

Margaret  Maitland.     By  Mrs.  Oliphant,  author  of  "Zaidee," 1  75 

Family  Pride.     By  author  of  •'  Pique,"  "  Family  Secrets,"  etc 1  75 

Self-Sacrifice.     By  author  of  "  Margaret  Maitlnnd,"  etc 1  75 

The  Woman  in  Black.     A  Companion  to  the  "Woman  in  White,"  ...  1  75 

A  Woman's  Thoughts  about  Women.     By  Miss  Mulocb, 1  75 

Flirtations  in  Fashionable  Life.     By  Catharine  Sinclair, 1  75 

False  Pride;  or,  Two  Ways  to  Matrimony.     A  Charming  Book, 1  75 

The  Heiress  in  the  Family.     By  Mrs.  Mackenzie  Daniel, 1  75 

Popery  Exposed.     An  Exposition  of  Popery  as  it  was  and  is, 1  75 

The  Heiress  of  Sweetwater.     A  Charming  Novel, 1  75 

Woman's  Wrong.     By  Mrs.  Eiloart,  author  of  "St.  Bede's," 1  75 

A  Lonely  Life.    By  the  author  of  "  Wise  as  a  Serpent,"  etc 1  75 

The  Macdermots  of  Ballyclornn.     By  Anthony  Trollope, 1  75 

Lost  Sir  Massingberd.     By  the  author  of  "  Carlyon's  Year," 1  75 

The  Forsaken  Daughter.     A  Companion  to  "Linda," 1  75 

Love  and  Liberty.     A  Revolutionary  Story.     By  Alexander  Dumas,  1  75 

Rose  Douglas.  A  Companion  to  "  Family  Pride,"  and  "  Sell' Sacrifice,"  1  75 

Family  Secrets.     A  Companion  to  "Family  Pride,"  and  "Pique,"...  1  75 

The  Morrisons.     By  Mrs.  Margaret  Hosiner, 1  75 

My  Son's  Wife.     By  author  of  "  Caste,"  "  Mr.  Arle,"  etc 1  75 

The  Rich  Husband.     By  author  of  "  George  Gcith," 

Harem  Life  in  Egypt  and  Constantinople.     By  Emmeline  Lott, 

The  Rector's  Wife;  or,  the  Valley  of  a  Hundred  Fires, 

Woodburn  Grange.     A  Novel.     By  William  Howitt, 

Country  Quarters.     By  the  Countess  of  Blessington, , 


75 
IS 
75 
75 
75 
75 
75 
M 


Out  of  the  Depths.     The  Story  of  a  "Woman's  Life," 

The  Coquette;  or,  the  Life  and  Letters  of  Elizn  Whnrton. 

The  Pride  of  Life.     A  Story  of  the  Heart.     By  L;iHy  June  Scott. 

The  Lost  Beauty.     By  a  Noted  Lndy  of  the  Spanish  Court 1  75 

Rome  and  the  Papacy.    A  History  of  the  Men,  Manners  and  Tempo 
ral  Government  of  Rome  in  the  Nineteenth  Century, 1  75 

Above  hooks  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

fe;-."  Above  Books  will  be  sent,  postage  paid,  on  Receipt  of  Retail  Price, 
by  T.  B.  Peterson  &  Brothers,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS.   5 
WORKS  BY  THE  VERY  BEST  AUTHORS. 

TJie  following  books  are   each    issued    in    one   large  duodecimo  volume, 
bound  in  cloth,  at  $1.75  each,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover  at  $1.50  each. 
The  Count  of  Monte-Cristo.     By  Alexander  Dumas.     Illustrated, ...$1  75 
The  Countess  of  Monte-Cristo.     Paper  cover,  price  $1.00  ;  or  cloth,..  1  75 

Cauiille;  or,  the  Fate  of  a  Coquette.     By  Alexander  Dumas, 1  75 

My  Hero.     By  Mrs.  Forrester.     A  Charming  Love  Story, 1  75 

The  Quaker  Soldier.  A  Revolutionary  Romance.  By  Judge  Jones,....  1  75 
The  Man  of  the  World.  An  Autobiography.  By  William  North,...  1  75 
The  Queen's  Favorite ;  or,  The  Price  of  a  Crown.  A  Love  Story,...  1  75 

Self  Love;  or,  The  Afternoon  of  Single  and  Married  Life, 1  75 

Memoirs  of  Vidoeq,  the  French  Detective.    His  Life  and  Adventures,  1  75 

The  Clyffards  of  Clyffe,  by  author  of  "Lost  Sir  Massingberd," 1  75 

Camors.  "  The  Man  of  the  Second  Empire."  By  Octave  Feuillet,..  1  75 
Life,  Speeches  and  Martyrdom  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  Illustrated,...  1  75 
The  Belle  of  Washington.  With  her  Portrait.  By  Mrs.  N.  P.  Lasselle,  1  75 
Cora  Belmont;  or,  The  Sincere  Lover.  A  True  Story  of  the  Hoart,.  1  75 
Tho  Lover's  Trials;  or  Days  before  1776.  By  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Denison,  1  75 
High  Life  in  Washington.  A  Life  Picture.  By  Mrs.  N.  P.  Lassello,  1  75 

The  Beautiful  Widow;  or,  Lodore.     By  Mrs.  Percy  B.  Shelley, ]   75 

Love  and  Money.  By  J.  B.  Jones,  author  of  the  "  Rival  Belles,"...  1  75 
Tho  Matchmaker.  A  Story  of  High  Life.  By  Beatrice  Reynolds,..  1  75 
The  Brother's  Secret ;  or,  the  Count  De  Mara.  By  William  Godwin,  1  75 
The  Lost  Love.  By  Mrs.  Oiiphaiit,  author  of  "  Margaret  Maitland,"  1  75 
The  Roman  Traitor.  By  Henry  William  Herbert.  A  Roman  Story,  1  75 

The  Bohemians  of  London.     By  Edward  M.  Whitty, 1  75 

The  Rival  Belles;  or,  Life  in  Washington.     By  J.  B.  Jones, 1  75 

The  Devoted  Bride.  A  Story  of  the  Heart.  By  St.  George  Tucker,  1  75 
Love  and  Duty.  By  Mrs.  Hubback,  author  of  "  May  and  December,"  1  75 
Wild  Sports  and  Adrentures  in  Africa.  By  Mnjor  W.  C.  Harris,  1  75 
Courtship  and  Matrimony.  By  Robert  Morris.  With  a  Portrait, ...  1  75 

The  Jealous  Husband.     By  Annette  Marie  Maillard, 1  75 

The  Refugee.      By  Herman  Melville,  author  of  "  Omoo,"  •'  Typee,"  1  75 

The  Life,  Writings,  and  Lectures  of  the  late  "  Fanny  Fern," 1  75 

Tho  Life  and  Lectures  of  Lola  Montez,  with  her  portrait, 1  75 

Wild  Southern  Scenes.     By  author  of  "  Wild  Western  Scenes," 1  75 

Currer  Lyle  ;  or,  the  Autobiography  of  an  Actress.  By  Louise  Reeder.  1  75 
Coal,  Coal  Oil,  and  all  other  Minerals  in  the  E:irth.  By  Eli  Bowen,  1  75 

The  Cabin  and  Parlor.     By  J.  Thornton  Randolph.     Illustrated, I  75 

The  Little  Beauty.     A  Love  Story.     By  Mrs.  Gr.;y 1   75 

Secession,  Coercion,  and  Civil  War.     By  J.  B.  Jonus, 1  7> 

Lizzie  Glenn  ;  or,  the  Trials  of  a  Seamstress.     By  T.  S.  Arthur, 1   75 

Lady  Maud  ;  or,  the  Wonder  of  Kingswood  Chase.    By  Pierce  Egan,  1   75 

Wilfred  Montr  jssor;  or,  High  Life  in  New  York.     Illustrated, 1  75 

The  Old  Slone  Mansion.  By  C.  J.  Peterson,  author  "Kate  Aylesford,"  1  75 
Kate  Aylesford.  By  Chas.  J.  Peterson,  author  "  Old  Stone  Mansion,".  1  75 

Lorrimer  Littlegood,  by  author  "  Harry  Coverdale's  Courtship," 1  75 

The  Earl's  Secret.     A  Love  Story.     By  Miss  Pardoe, 1  75 

The  Adopted  Heir.  By  Miss  Pardoe,  author  of  "The  Earl's  Secret,"  1  75 

Above  books  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

The  Dead  Secret.    By  Wilkie  Collins,  author  "  The  Crossed  Path,"...   1   50 

The  Crossed  Path;  or  Basil.     By  Wilkie  Collins, 1   50 

Indiana.  A  Love  Story.  By  George  Sand,  nuthor  of  "  Consuelo,"  1  5i) 
Jealousy  ;  or,  Teverino.  By  George  Sand,  nuthor  of  "  Consuelo,"  etc.  1  50 
Six  Nights  with  the  Washingtonians,  Illustrated.  By  T.  S.  Arthur,  3  50 


l£2T  Above  Books  will  be  sent,  postage  paid,  on  Receipt  of  Retail  Price, 
by  T.  B.  Peterson  &  Brothers,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


6   T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLIC ATIOSTS. 
\70RKS  BY  THE  VERY  BEST  AUTHORS. 

The  following  bnok»  are  each  istited  in  one  larrjf.  duodecimn  rohtmf, 
bound  in  cloth,  at  $1.75  each,  or  each  one  i»  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 
The  Conscript;  or,  the  Days  of  Napoleon  1st.  By  Alex.  Dumns,....$l  75 
Cousin  Harry.  B.y  Mrs.  Grey,  author  of  "  The  Gambler's  \Viie,"  etc.  1  75 
Saratoga.  An  Indian  Tale  of  Frontier  Life.  A  true  Story  of  1787,..  1  75 

Married  at  Last.     A  Love  Story.     By  Annie  Thomas, 1  75 

Shoulder  Straps.     By  Henry  Morford,  author  of  "  Days  of  Slioduy,"  1  75 
Days  of  Shoddy.     By  Henry  Morford,  nutlior  of  "Shoulder  Strap*,"  1  75 

The  Coward.     By  Henry  Morford,  author  of  "  Shoulder  Strap?,'-' 1  75 

The  Cavalier.  By  G.  P.  R.  James,  author  of  "Lord  Montagu'*  Pago,"  1  75 

Rose  Foster.     By  George  W.  M.  Reynolds,  Esq., 1  75 

Lord  Montagu's  Page.     By  G.  P.  R.  James,  author  of  "Cavalier,"...  1  75 
Mrs.  Emma  D.  E.  N.  Southworth's  Popular  Novels.   38  vo!s.  in  all,  66  50 

Mrs.  Ann  S.  Stephens'  Celebrated  Novels.  22  volumes  in  all, 38  50 

Miss  Eliza  A.  Dupuy's  Works.     Thirteen  volumes  in  all, 22  25 

Mrs.  Caroline  Lee  Hentz's  Novels.     Twelve  volumes  in  all, 21  (10 

Frederika  Bremer'd  Novels.     Six  volumes  in  all, 10  50 

T.  A.  Trollope's  Works.     Seven  volumes  in  all, 12  £5 

James  A.  Maitland's  Novels.     Seven  volumes  in  all, 12  25 

Q.  K.  Philander  Doestick's  Novels.     Four  volumes  in  i.il, 7  00 

Cook  Books.     The  best  in  the  world.     Eleven  volumes  iu  ail, 19  25 

Henry  Morford's  Novels.     Three  volumes  in  all, 5  25 

Mrs.  Henry  Wood's  Novels.     Seventeen  volumes  in  all, 29  75 

Emerson  Bennett's  Novel?.     Seven  volumes  in  all, 12  25 

Green's  Works  on  Gambling.     Four  volumes  in  all, 7  00 

Above  books  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  iu  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

The  following  bonltt  are  each   ituned   in  one  large  octavo  volume,  bound   in 
cloth,  at  $2.UO  each,  or  each  one  ii  done  vp  in  paper  cover,  at  SI. 50  each. 

The  Wandering  Jew.     By  Eugene  Sue.     Full  of  Illustrations, $2  00 

My.-tcrtes  of  Paris;  and  its  Sequel,  Gerolstein.     By  Eugt-ne  Sue 2  00 

Martin,  the  Foundling.     By  Eugene  Sue.     Full  of  Illustrations, 2  00 

Ten  Thousand  a  Year.     By  Samuel  Warren.     With  Illustrations,....  2  00 

Washington  and  His  GenerHls.     By  George  Lippard 2  00 

The  Quaker  City;  or,  tlia  Monks  of  Monk  Hall.     By  George  Lippard,  2  00 

Blanche  of  Brauily wine.     By  George  Lippard, 2  (10 

Paul  Ardenheirn;  the  Monk  of  Wissahickon.     By  George  Lippard,.  2  00 

Tiio  Pictorial  Tower  of  London.     By  W.  Harrison  Ainswurth, 2  50 

Above  books  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cov>_r,  at  $1.50  each. 


Tlte  following  ar*.  rach  iss'ifit  in  one.  lurye,  <viarn  volume,  bound  in  clolJt,  price  $2.00 
each,  or  a  dm;p  tuition  it  issued  inp^per  ewer,  at  70  cenii  euo/i. 

Charles  O'Malley,  the  Irish  Dragoon.    By  Charles  Lever, Cloth,  $2  PO 

Harry  Lorruqucr.    With  his  Confessions.   By  Charles  Lever,. ..Cloth,    2  00 

Jack  Hinton,  the  Guan'.suinn.     By  Charles  Lover Cloth,    2  00 

Davenport  Dunn.     A  Man  of  Oar  Day.     By  Charles  Lever,... Cloth,    200 

Torn  Burke  of  Ours.     By  Charles  Liver Cloth,    2  OU 

The  Knisrht  of  Gwynne.     By  Charles  Lever, Cloth,    2  00 

Arthur  O'Leary.     By  Charles  Lever, Cloth,    2  00 

Con  Cregan.     By  Charles  Lever, Cloth,    2  CO 

Horace  Tt-tnpleton.     By  Charles  Lever, Cloth;    2  00 

KateO'Donogliue.     By  Charles  Lever Cloth,    2  00 

Valentino  Vox,  iho  Ventriloquist.     By  Harry  Cockton Cloth,    2  00 

Above  arc  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  75  cents  each. 

£^  Above  Books  will  bo  sen;,  postage  paid,  on  receipt  of  Retail  Price, 
by  T.  B.  Peterson  &  Brothers,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS,  7 
NEW  AND  GOOD  BOOKS  BY  BEST  AUTHORS. 

Beautiful  Snow,  and  Other  Poems.  New  Illustrated  Edition.  B}'  J. 
W.  Watson.  With  Illustrations  by  E.  L.  Henry.  One  volume,  green 
morocco  cloth,  gilt  top,  side,  anl  baok,  prico  $2.00;  or  in  maroon 

morocco  cloth,  full  gilt  edgas,  full  gilt  back,  full  gilt  sides,  etc., $3  00 

The  Outcast,  and   Other    Poems.     By  J.  W.  Watson.     One    volume, 
green  tnorocc  >  cloth,  gilt  top,  side  and  back,  price  $2.00  ;  or  in  ina- 
roon  tnorocuo  cloth,  full  gilt-edges,  full  gilt  back,  full  gilt  sides, ...  3  00 
The  Young   Magdalen;    and  Other   Poems.     By  Francis  S.  Smith, 
editor  of  '•  The  New  York  Weekly."     With  a  portrait  of  the  author. 
Complete  in  one  large  voluaio  of  300  pages,  bound  in  green  ino- 
rocco  cloth,  gilt  top,  side,  and   back,  price  $3.00;     or  in  maroon 
morocco  cloth,  full  gilt  edges,  full  gilt  bock,  full  gilt  sides,  etc......  4  00 

Hans  Breitinann's  Ballads.  By  Charles  G.  Leland.  Volume  One.  Con 
taining  the  "  Firit"  "Second,"  and  "  Third  Series"  of  the  "  Breit- 
m/tiin  lialladi,"  bound  in  inoroceo  cloth,  gilt,  beveled  boards, ,  3  00 

Hans  Breitrnann's  Ballads.  By  Charles  G.  Leland.  Volume  Two. 
Containing  the  "Fourth"  and  "Fifth  Series"  of  the  "  Breitmann 
Ballads,"  bound  in  morocco  cloth,  gilt,  beveled  boards 2  00 

Hans  Breitmann's  Ballads.  By  Charles  G.  Leland.  Being  the  above 
two  volumes  complete  in  one.  In  one  large  volume,  bound  in 
morocco  cloth,  gilt  side,  gilt  top,  and  full  gilt  back,  with  beveled 
boards.  With  a  full  and  complete  Glossary  to  the  whole  work, 4  00 

Moister  Karl's  Sketch  Book.  By  Charles  G.  Leland.  (Hans  Breit 
mann.)  Complete  in  one  volume,  green  morocco  cloth,  gilt  «ide, 
gilt  top,  gilt  back,  with  beveled  board.-*,  price  $2.50,  or  in  maroon 
morocco  cloth,  full  gilt  edges,  full  gilt  back,  full  gilt  sides,  etc 3  50 

Historical  Sketches  of  Plymouth,  Luzerne  Co.,  Punna.  By  Hendrick 
B.  Wright,  of  Wilkesbarre.  With  Twenty-five  Photographs, 4  00 

John  Jasper's  Secret.     A  Sequel  to  Charles  Dickens'  "Mystery  of 

Edwin  Drood."     With  18  illustrations.     Bound  in  cloth, 2  00 

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" 


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75 
75 
75 
75 
75 
75 
75 


CHARLES  DICKENS'  WORKS. 

**- GREAT    SEDUCTION    IN    THEIR    PRICES. -«» 

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1.50 


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Little  Dorrit, Cloth,  fl.50 

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1.50 
1.50 
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1.50 
1.50 

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Sketches  by  "  Boz," Cloth, 

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>6®- GREAT   BEDUCTION  IN  THEIB,  PRICES.-©* 


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Oliver  Twist, Cloth,     1.75 

Bleak  House, Cloth,     1.75 

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Doinbey  and  Son, 50 

Our  Mutual  Friend, 50 

David  Copperfield 50 

Martin  Chuzzlewit, 50 

Old  Curiosity  Shop, 50 

Oliver  Twist, 50 

American  Notes, 25 

Hard  Times, 25 

A  Tale  of  Two  Cities, 25 

Somebody's  Luggage,.. 25 

Mrs.  Lirriper's  Lodgings, 25 

Mrs.  Lirriper's  Legacy, 25 

Mugby  Junction 25 

Dr.  Marigold's  Prescriptions,...  25 

Mystery  of  Edwin  Drood, 25 

Message  from  the  Sea, 25 


Bleak  House,  .........................  50 

Little  Dorrit,  .........................  50 

Christmas  Stories,  ..................  50 

Barnaby  Rudge,  .....................  60 

Sketches  by  "Boz,"  ...............  50 

Great  Expectations,  ................  50 

Joseph  Grimaldi,  ...................  50 

The  Pic-Nic  Papers,  ...............  50 

The  Haunted  House,  ...............  25 

Uncommercial  Traveller,  .........  25 

A  House  to  Let,  .....................  25 

Perils  of  English  Prisoners,  .....  25 

Wreck  of  the  Golden  Mary,  ......  25 

Torn  Tiddler's  Ground,  ............  25 

25 
25 


Dickens'  New  Stories, 

Lnzy  Tour  Idle  Apprentices,  ..... 

The  Holly-Tree  Inn,  ..............      25 

No  Thoroughfare, 


25 


Hunted  Down;  and  Other  Reprinted  Pieces, 50 

THE  LIFE  AND  WRITINGS  OF  CHARLES  DICKENS. 
THE  LIFE  OF  CHARLES  DICKENS.  By  Dr.  R.  S/>elton  Mackemie, 
containing  a  full  history  of  his  Life,  his  Uncollected  Pieces,  in  Prose 
and  Verse;  Personal  Recollections  and  Anecdotes;  His  Last  Will  in 
full ;  and  Letters  from  Mr.  Dickens  never  before  published.  With 
a  Portrait  and  Autograph  of  Charles  Dickens.  Price  $2.00.  (11) 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

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